Retired 253-game Essendon star Dyson Heppell is joining the Collingwood Magpies as a development coach for the 2026 season.
Heppell will officially begin his role in the new year as the pre-Christmas training block winds down.
Despite his commitments to the Victorian powerhouse, Heppell will continue to play for the Port Melbourne Borough in the VFL next year. He signed a two-year deal with the club following his retirement in 2024 and had a stellar debut campaign, averaging over 25 disposals per game.
The Magpies are also adding former AFL player Greg Stafford as a ruck coach.
Stafford’s career spanned 14 seasons, with his first nine at the Sydney Swans and final five in the yellow and black at Punt Road, with the versatile 204cm tall tallying 204 career games at senior level.
Stafford worked at the Melbourne Demons for 11 seasons, including in the 2021 drought-breaking premiership, overseeing the development of up-and-coming rucks.
Executive General Manager of Football, Charlie Gardiner highlighted the quality leadership tendencies that the pair will bring to support senior coach Craig McRae.
“Dyson is a fantastic addition to our coaching team and football department. His experiences as a player, including his knowledge around leadership, will be a valuable asset to our playing group,” Gardiner said.
“Working predominantly with our upcoming talent, Dyson’s ability to form strong relationships and understand the needs of players will allow him to be influential and mentor our emerging talent.
“Greg has over 20 years of football experience and has a track record of developing talented players. He will play a pivotal role in developing our current and future rucks.
“We are excited to welcome such a high-calibre people to Collingwood and we look forward to seeing the impact Dyson and Greg can have throughout our club.
These two are the latest coaching personnel changes to sweep through the KGM Centre following the club’s preliminary final exit, with assistants Scott Selwood and Josh Fraser departing the club.
2010 premiership player Tyson Goldsack has also since joined the Magpies as an assistant.
