Magpies axe six, including Lachie Sullivan and Mitch Podhajski, as brutal off-season of change continues

Collingwood’s off-season of turnover has continued with six players delisted after their wildcard final loss to the Western Bulldogs .

Joel Cochran, Wil Parker, Mitch Podhajski, Jakob Ryan, Iliro Smit and Lachie Sullivan have all been told they will not be offered contracts for 2027.

It comes after the exits of club legends Steele Sidebottom , who announced his retirement before the end of the season, and VFL/AFL games record-holder Scott Pendlebury , who is set to sign with Gold Coast as a free agent.

Of the six players farewelled, Sullivan was the most prevalent at AFL level, having played 26 games at the top level across three years, including three this year, since being taken in the supplementary selection period (SSP) in 2024.

Podhajski departs just four months after being taken in this year’s mid-season draft. The 27-year-old forced his way onto an AFL list after three prolific seasons in front of goal for VFL outfit Coburg.

He made his debut for the Magpies in front of 88,019 fans at the MCG for the King’s Birthday clash with Melbourne in what was one of the feel-good stories of the season.

Former cricketer Parker, who bowled leg-spin for Victoria and Hobart in the Big Bash League before pursuing footy, joined the Pies as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2024 season and played 14 games at the top level.

Ryan was taken with pick 28 in the 2022 national draft, one of only three top-30 selections Collingwood have taken since that year, and made his debut in Round 23, 2023.

Smit was another mid-season draft pick, but did not break into the senior team since being taken in 2024.

Collingwood list manager Justin Leppitsch thanked the group for their contributions.

“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,” he 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.”