It’s the quiet period after a premiership when AFL clubs typically quietly rebuild, but Collingwood has other ideas. The Magpies are clearing salary cap debt at speed, telling veterans to look elsewhere, and quietly positioning themselves for a headline trade raid before the 2026 season. Whether you’re tracking contract payouts or just want to know who’s leaving and why, here’s what we know so far.

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Premierships: 16 · Founded: 1892 · Nickname: Magpies · Competition: AFL · Official News: collingwoodfc.com.au/news

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Collingwood paying portion of Treloar salary at Western Bulldogs (Zero Hanger)
  • 16 premierships won by the Magpies (Zero Hanger)
  • Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell told to explore options for 2026 (AFL.com.au)
2What’s unclear
  • Current exact status of Brodie Grundy payment timeline
  • Whether Jordan de Goey’s farm details will be confirmed
  • Final retirement decisions for Pendlebury, Howe, Sidebottom
3Timeline signal
  • September 2025: Jack Buller requests trade to Collingwood
  • October 2025: Sullivan and Howes re-sign
  • Late 2025: Cox and Mitchell told to explore options
4What’s next
  • 2026 trade targets: Zak Butters, Zac Bailey, Ben King, Bailey Humphrey
  • Potential departures of Elliott and Mihocek
  • Veterans Pendlebury, Howe, Sidebottom tipped to retire end 2026

Key facts about the Magpies’ current position and history.

Fact Value Source
Premierships 16 Historical record
Founded 1892 Historical record
Home Ground Melbourne Cricket Ground Club records
Nickname Magpies Club records

Are Collingwood still paying Brodie Grundy?

The short answer is no longer. Collingwood cleared salary cap debt for Brodie Grundy — who now plays for Sydney — ahead of schedule, according to Zero Hanger, a specialist AFL coverage outlet. While the exact payment timeline is no longer active, the early clearance signals the club’s urgency to free up funds for other targets.

The upshot

Clearing Grundy’s contract early wasn’t just accounting — it was a strategic signal that Collingwood has bigger plans for the 2026 trade period.

Collingwood’s freed salary cap is reportedly being positioned for targets including Zak Butters, Zac Bailey, Ben King, and Bailey Humphrey, as Zero Hanger reported. Bailey Humphrey is contracted at Gold Coast until the end of 2028 but has been linked to a Victorian return, adding complexity to any potential deal.

The implication: Collingwood has made its financial move; now it needs the trade chips to land its preferred targets.

Is Collingwood still paying Adam Treloar?

No — Collingwood completed payments to Adam Treloar at Western Bulldogs, as Zero Hanger confirmed. However, the club continues to pay a portion of his salary as part of the original contract settlement negotiated when he was traded away from the Magpies.

Why this matters

Two former big-money contracts — Grundy and Treloar — are now both cleared from Collingwood’s books, freeing significant cap space heading into 2026 list management.

What this means: The Magpies have aggressively managed their cap position over the past two years, clearing legacy contracts while positioning for a new wave of high-profile additions.

Why did Ollie Henry leave Collingwood?

Ollie Henry departed Collingwood after the 2023 premiership, with the flag reportedly serving as motivation for his move. According to ESPN‘s coverage of post-trade scenarios, Henry wanted to establish his own identity outside the premiership spotlight — something he felt he couldn’t fully do at Collingwood.

Henry’s departure illustrates a recurring theme with recent Magpies exits: players seeking opportunity they believe is constrained at a premiership club with established stars ahead of them in the rotation.

What to watch

Jamie Elliott’s situation mirrors Henry’s — a two-time Coleman Medallist whose name is now in trade circles with Geelong, Gold Coast, and Sydney, according to SEN.

Who is the greatest Collingwood player of all time?

This remains subjective, but several names consistently appear in the conversation. Gordon Coventry holds the record for most goals for the club, while Darren Millane’s tragic story remains deeply embedded in Collingwood folklore. Among contemporary players, Scott Pendlebury stands out for longevity and leadership — and he’s tipped to retire at the end of 2026, according to Zero Hanger.

The catch: Defining “greatest” often reflects the era a fan grew up watching — and with Collingwood’s 16 premierships spanning multiple decades, there’s no shortage of candidates for the title.

Where is Jordan de Goey’s farm?

Jordan de Goey has spoken publicly about starting a family and building a life post-football, but specific details about his farm location have not been widely confirmed in verified reports. AFL.com.au coverage notes de Goey has opened up about his off-field plans, but land holdings remain private.

The catch

Personal property details are typically private unless voluntarily disclosed — and de Goey’s focus in media has been on football, not land investments.

The pattern: Off-field property details remain scarce while the club focuses on on-field list management decisions.

Timeline: Key dates in Collingwood’s rebuild

The trade period brought rapid movement on multiple fronts for Collingwood as they reshaped their list.

Date Event Source
September 2025 Jack Buller requests trade to Collingwood after kicking 11 goals in last nine games for Sydney SEN
October 6, 2025 Collingwood holds full press conference on trade period plans YouTube – Zero Hanger
Mid-October 2025 Lachie Sullivan and Noah Howes sign one-year extensions to end of 2026 YouTube
Late 2025 Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell told to explore options for 2026 AFL.com.au
November 2025 Angus Anderson selected as Collingwood’s fourth pick in 2025 national draft Collingwood FC
Early 2026 New players announced as club prepares 2026 list Collingwood FC

Confirmed facts

  • Collingwood paying portion of Treloar salary at Western Bulldogs (Zero Hanger)
  • Jack Buller, 24, requested trade to Collingwood (11 goals in last nine games for Sydney) (SEN)
  • Collingwood offered Jack Buller a two-year deal (SEN)
  • Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell told to explore options for 2026 (AFL.com.au)
  • Angus Anderson selected with fourth pick in 2025 national draft (Collingwood FC)
  • 16 premierships won by Collingwood
  • Collingwood cleared Grundy contract payments ahead of schedule (Zero Hanger)
  • Bailey Humphrey contracted at Gold Coast until end of 2028 (Zero Hanger)
  • Zander Wilkie contracted at $750,000 per season (SEN)

What’s unclear

  • Exact timeline for complete Brodie Grundy payment settlement
  • Whether Collingwood’s trade targets will accept offers
  • Final retirement confirmation for Pendlebury, Howe, Sidebottom
  • Specific contract values for most current players
  • Jordan de Goey’s farm location details
  • Whether Jamie Elliott accepts a Gold Coast offer
  • If Mason Cox finds a new club or plays VFL

What experts are saying

Jack Buller has told the Swans he wants a trade to the Pies. That could be as a Brody Mihocek replacement.

— Cal Twomey, AFL Trade Expert (SEN)

There’s no guarantee of a contract for next year. He’s been set out the possibility of playing a fair bit of VFL footy if he did stay.

— Cal Twomey on Mason Cox (AFL.com.au)

We’re a humble club that wants to keep getting better so of course we need to go after those sort of free agents.

— Unnamed Collingwood official (Zero Hanger)

Bottom line: Collingwood has cleared its books faster than expected, with veterans Cox and Mitchell told to find new clubs while the club targets high-profile trades for 2026. The rebuild is real, the cap space is real, and the ambition is real — but so are the risks if targets like Butters or Bailey don’t materialize.

Related reading: Most Test Runs · Play Rugby League

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, footywire.com, zerohanger.com, youtube.com

Amid contract talks for Grundy and Treloar plus Ollie Henry trade buzz, Collingwood endured a 29-point preliminary final loss to Brisbane that spotlighted injury impacts.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the latest AFL news Collingwood today?

Collingwood is actively managing its list ahead of 2026, with veterans told to explore options and the club positioning for trade targets. Check Collingwood FC and AFL.com.au for official announcements.

What is the Collingwood injury list?

Current injury information is available through official club channels and AFL.com.au’s injury round-up. The club hasn’t published a formal injury list as part of recent news cycles, focusing instead on contract and trade developments.

What is Collingwood team selection today?

Team selection for upcoming matches is announced through official club channels and the AFL fixtures system. Recent selections have been affected by the ongoing list management discussions.

What are AFL news Collingwood rumours?

Key rumours include Jack Buller’s trade request, Jamie Elliott’s potential move to Gold Coast, and Collingwood’s interest in targets like Zak Butters and Zac Bailey. SEN Trade Radio provides regular updates.

Where to find Collingwood news on Twitter?

Official updates are shared via @CollingwoodFC on X (formerly Twitter). AFL journalists including Cal Twomey and SEN correspondents also provide real-time updates.

What is Collingwood news SEN today?

SEN provides daily AFL news coverage including trade updates, with Cal Twomey’s Trade Radio show a key source for Collingwood developments.

What are the latest Collingwood breaking news?

Recent breaking news includes Cox and Mitchell being told to explore options, Sullivan and Howes re-signing, and Jack Buller’s trade request. Zero Hanger and AFL.com.au are reliable sources for confirmed developments.