Wright has been in discussions with the AFL, but no specific role has been put forward, while at least two other clubs have sounded him out and there is also the possibility he will be offered a role with the incoming Tasmania Devils, as a former Tasmanian with strong credibility among the clubs.
Wright was instrumental in the appointment of McRae, running the process that led to the hiring of the eventual premiership coach and of his support coaches, Leppitsch, who is a former McRae teammate from their days at the Brisbane Lions, and Bolton, the ex-Carlton senior coach and Hawthorn assistant.
Wright had acted as list manager in addition to GM of football, negotiating contracts and was the driver of the decisions to recruit Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, key forward Dan McStay, Brownlow medallist and ex-Hawk Tom Mitchell and, last year, ex-Docker Lachie Schultz.
Wright, a 201-game Magpie, cut his teeth in football administration first at the Lions and then as list manager during Hawthorn’s premiership era and as GM of football from 2017 until 2020 at the Hawks.
In a statement confirming Wright’s departure, on behalf of Collingwood, Browne thanked Wright “for his outstanding service and contribution to our club”.
“Graham has spent over three decades in the elite AFL system – first as a premiership player for Collingwood and then as a much-respected and successful administrator. We have been in constant discussions with Graham during his sabbatical and both of us have agreed that Graham be free to pursue new opportunities to further develop his already distinguished career,” Browne said.
“All of us at Collingwood wish Graham, his wife Tracey and children James and Ethan all the best and every success for the next chapter.”
Wright, who is still in Europe, said: “Thank you to the players, staff and supporters for making my time at Collingwood an enjoyable period of my career. I am grateful to have been able to serve the Collingwood Football Club.”
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Source Agencies
