Former AFL executive Travis Auld was approached in recent weeks to succeed Craig Kelly and Collingwood CEO.
The Agenda Setters’ Caroline Wilson reported in June that Kelly had begun to negotiate his exit from the club — or at least his role — which the former AFL player manager denied and took umbrage at.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former AFL executive approached to replace Craig Kelly
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
“I don’t know why everyone’s being so sensitive about this,” Wilson told The Agenda Setters at the time.
“Craig Kelly has told so many people in the industry he’s leaving, he’s spoken, and others have spoken to (Fremantle CEO) Simon Garlick, who has been approached for the job.”
Now, Wilson says a second big name has been approached to take over at Collingwood.
“Just a little curveball come across my desk in recent times,” she said on Monday night.
“Craig Kelly, of course, has denied he was ever planning on stepping down at the end of this year, even though I said he was negotiating his exit over either this year or next.
“We know that he approached Simon Garlick some time ago about perhaps coming back to Melbourne, the Freo CEO, and replacing him.
“I can now tell you that a Collingwood intermediary a month or so ago approached Travis Auld, the former AFL executive, former Essendon executive, Gold Coast chief executive, who now runs the (Australian) Grand Prix Corporation.
“A Collingwood intermediary asked him whether he would come to Collingwood to be the chief executive, replacing Kelly next year.”
Kane Cornes questioned whether Kelly “stayed in spite of” Wilson because of her reporting.
“I’d love to think I was that important, but I don’t think so,” Wilson laughed.
“No, look, I think that they are looking for a good replacement, and Craig Kelly did want to negotiate his exit and stay on as a consultant.
“Now, I’m not sure the board was quite ready for Craig to go and go in that fashion and stay on as a consultant, nor was Auld, who hasn’t ruled out one day returning to footy, prepared to come and be Collingwood CEO next year.
“It’s a bit weird that you’re not going anywhere when you’re talking to Travis Auld, that’s all I’m saying.”