Collingwood AFLW coach Sam Wright quits amid team crisis and player departures

Consensus Summary

Collingwood AFLW coach Sam Wright has announced he will leave the club at the end of the 2026 season, marking another significant departure in a crisis-ridden year. The Magpies have struggled on the field, securing just one win from 11 games, and are now at the bottom of the AFLW ladder alongside Essendon and St Kilda. Wright’s decision comes as captain Ruby Schleicher also prepares to leave the club, with reports of widespread player dissatisfaction over list management, coaching, and medical treatment. The final game of the season, against Essendon on Sunday, 1 Nov, will serve as Wright’s last match in charge, while Schleicher’s departure will leave a leadership void for the club moving forward.

The collapse of Collingwood’s AFLW program traces back to Wright’s appointment at the end of 2023, a move that followed a dismal 1-10 record in 2024 and a slightly improved 3-9 performance in 2025. Despite the club’s resources, the Magpies have failed to translate them into on-field success, finishing outside the top 10 in every season since their 2022 semifinal appearance. Former players and coaches, including Lauren Arnell, have criticized the team’s defensive-heavy approach, arguing it fails to engage audiences and stifles scoring. The AFLW’s reliance on high-scoring games to grow the league has been a recurring theme, with Collingwood’s struggles exacerbating broader concerns about the competition’s future.

Key figures in the crisis include Wright, who expressed gratitude for the club’s support but acknowledged the need for change, and Schleicher, whose departure to Western Australia—following a four-year offer from the West Coast Eagles—has sent shockwaves through the program. Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly has faced scrutiny for his handling of the situation, with reports suggesting a lack of communication between the executive and playing group. Players like Tarni White, Lauren Butler, Bri Davey, Sarah Rowe, and Mattea Breed are all out of contract, while vice-captain Jordyn Allen is expected to seek opportunities elsewhere. The exodus underscores deep-seated issues within the club, where even high-profile athletes feel undervalued and unmotivated.

While ABC and 7NEWS largely align on the core facts—Wright’s departure, Schleicher’s exit, and the team’s poor form—differences emerge in framing and emphasis. ABC highlights the club’s historical struggles, including their 2022 semifinal finish and subsequent decline, while 7NEWS focuses on the immediate fallout, including AFLW boss Laura Kane’s intervention with the board. ABC_2 adds context about Collingwood’s defensive tactics and the broader AFLW landscape, noting that St Kilda and Essendon are also in crisis. The articles agree that an independent review, like those conducted by Carlton in 2023 and Richmond in 2025, is unlikely, leaving the club’s future direction uncertain.

With the trade period approaching in December, the coming months are expected to see further upheaval as players assess their options. Wright’s departure and Schleicher’s move to the West Coast Eagles signal a broader trend of instability, with Collingwood now facing the daunting task of rebuilding both on and off the field. The club’s decision to enter AFLW as a foundation team in 2017 is now being questioned, with CEO Kelly hinting that a later entry might have been preferable. As the season concludes, the focus will shift to finding a new coach, captain, and vice-captain, while addressing the systemic issues that have eroded player morale and on-field performance.