Eddie McGuire points finger over Collingwood trade debacle

Outgoing Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire has laid the blame for their tumultuous trade period on the AFL’s ‘Trade Radio’ program.

McGuire announced he would be stepping down from the Magpies’ presidency at the end of 2021 on Monday night, bringing to an end what will be a 23-year tenure in the top job.

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The 56-year-old proved to be a colourful but effective club president, helping steer the club to long-awaited premiership glory in 2010 after taking over the club at a low ebb in 1998.

While his time as president was not without controversy or criticism, particularly over his dual responsibilities to the club and his media career, McGuire specifically commented on the Magpies’ recent, and turbulent, trade period.

He said the ‘Trade Radio’ daily program, while fantastic for fans, had contributed to ‘perfect storm’ of speculation swirling around the club.

The Magpies were criticised for dealing the likes of Adam Treloar and Jaidyn Stephenson to the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne respectively to soothe a salary cap crunch.

“There’s a new dynamic now and it’s trade radio, it’s great for people who love the footy and are following it all the time, great for the media, the AFL, but it’s not great for the people involved in it — bad luck,” McGuire said.

“But what also happened was after a month of ‘will Jeremy Cameron get to Geelong?’ there came a new story there that was pretty big, it was a big story and it took off from there.

“The guys were trying to protect confidentiality that was given to different players but also try to do the deal that we needed to get done in difficult circumstances so it was a bit of a perfect storm this year.”

Eddie McGuire announces end to presidency in 2021

McGuire was re-elected for a further three-year term in February.

But a tearful McGuire announced during a fan forum on Monday night that he would step down at the end of next season.

McGuire's position had come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks following the Magpies' messy trade period in which they shed a host of stars for mostly bargain-basement prices due to salary cap issues.

McGuire became president of Collingwood at the end of 1998, and he earned the "Eddie Everywhere" moniker due to his prominent role in the media and outspoken opinions.

During his time in charge, McGuire ensured Collingwood remained one of the competition's heavyweights.

On the field, the Magpies have won just the one flag under Maguire's leadership - in 2010 - but they also made grand finals in 2002, 2003, 2011 and 2018.

McGuire played a key role in appointing Mick Malthouse as coach ahead of the 2000 season.

Malthouse led the club to eight finals campaigns in his 12 seasons in charge.

But controversy reigned when McGuire orchestrated the coaching handover from Malthouse to Nathan Buckley in time for the 2012 season.

The transition was far from smooth, and Malthouse left with a chip on his shoulder.

McGuire's tenure is the third longest of an AFL president.

He said that he had intended to make his call earlier in the year.

"COVID put paid to many finely laid plans," McGuire said.

"In conjunction with the change of direction in my media life and the timing of my son's schooling ending, the time is right and the future is strong for our club and for me to make this call.”

With AAP

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