Collingwood Coach Structure Finalized as Niterra Joins for 2026 Season
Friday at 2: 00 p. m. ET Collingwood has locked in its 2026 AFL coaching structure and confirmed Niterra as the Coaches’ Partner; the announcement makes the collingwood coach framework official and names multiple role confirmations across the group.
Collingwood Coach lineup and role assignments
Collingwood confirmed specific coaching roles for its AFL and VFL programs. Hayden Skipworth will continue to support Craig McRae as Head of Football Strategy and Coaching and will oversee the development coaching team. Tyson Goldsack, a 2010 AFL Premiership player, has returned as an assistant coach and will be responsible for the forward line. Matthew Boyd and Jordan Roughead will continue in assistant coach roles, overseeing the midfield and backlines respectively.
Former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell will work alongside development coaches Nathan Murphy and Chloe McMillan and newly appointed VFL Senior Coach Matthew Lokan. Greg Stafford has joined the coaching team as ruck coach and will oversee the development of the Club’s up-and-coming ruck division.
Niterra named Coaches’ Partner and branding plans
Collingwood announced that Niterra has joined the Club as a Platinum Partner and the Coaches’ Partner for the AFL and VFL teams in 2026. Niterra distributes brands including NGK Ignition Parts, NTK Filters & Sensors and KYB Suspension and offers products such as spark plugs and filters. The Club confirmed that Niterra’s NTK branding will be placed on Collingwood’s coach apparel and uniform.
Club materials say Niterra’s precision engineering and commitment to research and evolution align with Collingwood’s stated focus on growth and evolution on and off the field.
Club leadership response and coaching group outlook
Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly welcomed Niterra to the Club and said, “We are pleased to have Niterra come on board as our 2026 AFL Coaches’ Partner. ” AFL Senior Coach Craig McRae celebrated Niterra coming on board and said the partner’s innovation and forward thinking mirror the coaching group’s mindset and drive to improve player performance.
That leadership reaction frames the announcement as both a commercial partnership and a structural confirmation for the coaching staff heading into 2026.
More details expected 2: 00 p. m. ET.
