Collingwood Football Club is stepping boldly into a new era, sparking intrigue and excitement both on and off the field. With a groundbreaking Netflix partnership and whispers of coaching shifts on the horizon, 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in the club’s rich history.
Netflix x Collingwood: Behind the Black and White
In an AFL first, Collingwood has signed a high-profile content partnership with streaming giant Netflix. The deal, rumored to be worth over $10 million, will see the club featured in a multi-episode docuseries tentatively titled “Behind the Black and White.”
Set for release in early 2026, the series promises unparalleled access to the inner workings of the club, including exclusive locker room footage, boardroom meetings, player stories, and the cultural fabric that has defined Collingwood for over a century.
Club president Jodie Sizer described the partnership as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to showcase the modern AFL experience to a global audience.
“Collingwood has always been more than a football club — it’s a movement. This partnership allows us to share our story with the world,” Sizer said during the official announcement.
The Netflix collaboration follows the global success of sports docuseries like Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Full Swing, which have elevated the international profiles of their respective sports. AFL executives are hopeful this deal will do the same, propelling the game onto a world stage and helping grow fan engagement domestically and abroad.
Coaching Carousel: What’s Next for Craig McRae?
Amid the media frenzy surrounding the Netflix announcement, the future of senior coach Craig McRae has also become a topic of hot speculation. While McRae is contracted through the end of 2025, recent reports suggest a possible succession plan is already in motion.
Insiders hint that assistant coach Hayden Skipworth and premiership Magpie Scott Pendlebury — who officially retired at the end of the 2024 season — are both being groomed for more significant roles. Some within the club are pushing for a “mentorship model,” with McRae transitioning into a Director of Football role while a younger successor takes the reins.
Adding fuel to the speculation, McRae recently declined to confirm whether he would seek an extension beyond 2025, stating in a press conference:
“Right now, my focus is entirely on this season. The rest will take care of itself.”
While the uncertainty might concern some fans, many believe it reflects a strategic shift rather than instability. The club is clearly investing in long-term leadership development, possibly aiming to mirror successful succession models seen in global sports franchises.
2025: A Defining Season
On the field, Collingwood remains firmly in premiership contention. With emerging stars like Nick Daicos continuing to dominate and a fully fit Jamie Elliott returning to form, the Magpies are eyeing a strong September push. The Netflix cameras have already been spotted trailing players at training sessions, hinting that the stakes this year — both sporting and cinematic — have never been higher.
Collingwood’s bold moves — blending entertainment, sports innovation, and cultural storytelling — are changing how AFL clubs engage with fans. As the black-and-white army readies for a dramatic 2025 season, one thing is certain: the world is watching.
Stay tuned, because in this new era of Collingwood, every moment matters — an
d now, it’s all on camera.
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