Collingwood Cuts Six Players in Major List Reset

Collingwood has moved swiftly at the end of its 2026 campaign, cutting six players from its list in a clear signal that another reshaping of the reigning powerhouse is underway.

Former second-round pick Jakob Ryan and ex-cricketer Wil Parker headline the departures, with Lachie Sullivan, mid-season draftee Mitch Podhajski, defender Joel Cochran and ruckman Iliro Smit also told their time in black and white is over.

For Ryan, taken at No.28 in the 2022 draft and once seen as a long-term piece in defence, the call draws a line under a frustrating stint. He managed just a single AFL appearance, back in 2023, and never quite forced his way back into senior calculations.

Parker’s story always stood out. A Category B rookie plucked from Victoria’s cricket ranks, he turned a bold code switch into 14 AFL games across three seasons. It was a genuine gamble from both club and player. For a while, it looked like it might stick.

Sullivan’s exit carries its own edge. The hard-working midfielder played 26 senior games for the Magpies but only two in 2026, squeezed by depth and competition around the ball. Once a reliable option, he now becomes a casualty of a list striving to stay sharp at the top.

Podhajski, a mature-ager snapped up in May’s mid-season draft, earned two senior appearances and offered a glimpse of his versatility but not enough to secure a longer stay. Smit, another mid-season recruit, and Cochran, taken at pick 47 in the 2024 draft, depart without an AFL game to their names, their work largely confined to the VFL program.

The human side of days like this is never lost on clubs, even the most ruthless. List boss Justin Leppitsch made that point as the changes were confirmed.

"On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we would like to sincerely thank Joel, Wil, Mitch, Jakob, Iliro and Lachie for their dedication and contribution to our Football Club," Leppitsch said.

"Each of them has played an important role across both our AFL and VFL programs, and they should be incredibly proud of the commitment, professionalism and character they have shown throughout their time in black and white."

For Collingwood, the decisions clear valuable list spots and salary space ahead of another trade and draft period, a reminder that even for recent premiers, evolution never really stops. For the six players, the next contract, the next chance, will have to come in different colours.