Jimmy Bartel linked to Collingwood move after storm surrounding former boss’ holiday

Jimmy Bartel is reportedly in talks to become Collingwood’s new football boss after stepping down from his position as GWS footy director at the end of the 2024 season to pursue other AFL opportunities. And SEN’s John Donohoe revealed on Tuesday that Bartel had already held preliminary talks with Collingwood, with the club eager to secure a new footy boss after Graham Wright’s resignation.

The Pies had been linked with Chris Davies, but he is set to stay at Port Adelaide and the club has now reportedly turned their attention to Bartel as a possible replacement for Wright. However, Melbourne is also understood to be eager to add to their footy department and see Bartel as a good fit.

The move for Bartel comes after Wright resigned from his role at Collingwood in August on the back of being heavily criticised for taking a sabbatical while the Pies were struggling. The 56-year-old told the Pies he wanted a break before the 2024 season and actually offered his resignation to the club. It was instead decided that Wright would take a year off and come back refreshed.

But Wright copped serious backlash from the AFL community for taking a holiday overseas with his family, with Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes heavily criticising Wright for posting photos of his holiday on social media while back home the Pies’ premiership aspirations slipped away. Cornes said it was a poor look for Wright to be drawing attention to his holiday while he was still employed in the role.

“If he’s out, he’s out,” Cornes said on Channel 9 program ‘Footy Classified’. “Let’s just pay him to go on a holiday and watch his Instagram clips as we’re sitting 12th on the ladder and trying to qualify for finals.

“I don’t think we begrudge anyone for going on holiday and having a break, it’s a pretty intense industry. But to see the images of him on holiday from his Instagram account, I don’t think it’s a great look when you’ve got your head of footy on holiday, posting pictures on Instagram and your side is sitting in 12th.”

Jimmy Bartel in talks with Collingwood and Melbourne

Wright played an instrumental role in Collingwood’s premiership triumph last year following 35-straight years involved in the AFL – first as a player, then in various off-field roles. And while the Magpies were hopeful Wright would remain in the position after his break, it was announced in August that he wouldn’t be returning.

Collingwood see it as an absolute priority to replace him before the 2025 season, with Bartel understood to be a leading contender. But SEN’s Donohoe told AFL Trade Radio that he believes the former GWS footy director could snub the Pies position and instead head to the Demons due to his close relationship with coach Simon Goodwin.

“Keep an eye on Jimmy Bartel over the next month or two,” Donohoe told AFL Trade Radio. “He’s a free agent from a club perspective after his stint as GWS’ (footy) director recently finished. My understanding is he’s been talking to Melbourne and Collingwood. It’s all preliminary at this stage, but the Dees are keen to beef up their footy department and he has an excellent relationship with Simon Goodwin.

“The Pies are obviously looking for a footy boss at the moment. They’re in the middle of a review at the Dees, so there’s plenty still to play out in this one, but keep an eye on Jimmy Bartel and Melbourne in particular.”

Adelaide attempt to lure Graham Wright to the club

While the Crows are understood to be making a bold play to lure former Collingwood football boss Wright to Adelaide. Despite Wright being heavily linked to a role at AFL HQ after leaving the Pies, 7News‘ Theo Doropoulos reports the Crows believe they can convince him to move to Adelaide. “The Crows are having a red hot crack at Graham Wright to come and be the Godfather of Adelaide’s football department,” Doropoulos wrote on X.

“CEO Tim Silvers has a 10+ year association with Wright from their Hawks days, and has formally met with the 56-year-old recently.”