Collingwood Head of Strategy Justin Leppitsch has recommitted to the Magpies, reports AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.
Leppitsch was being chased by the Western Bulldogs to support Luke Beveridge in a Director of Coaching role, but will instead remain at the AIA Centre with Craig McRae.
SEN's Sam Edmund revealed that Leppitsch will now shift into a role similar to what the Dogs offered him, but at Collingwood.
Justin Leppitsch is poised for a role change at Collingwood after declining the Bulldogs' tempting approach. The Pies' head of strategy is set to take on a director of football performance-type position - a similar role to that presented by the Dogs, who now need to pivot.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) October 10, 2023
The 48-year-old was a key piece behind Collingwood’s 2023 premiership and played a big part as an assistant in all three of Richmond’s flag victories.
Gabelich confirmed the news on AFL Trade Radio.
“Justin Leppitsch has recommitted to the Collingwood Football Club,” Gabelich began.
“He's the Head of Strategy and looks after the forwards, he’s been a key piece of what Craig McRae has done across the past two seasons along with the others there.
“Craig McRae often references Brendan Bolton, Justin Leppitsch, Hayden Skipworth, Scott Selwood and Jarrod Wade the head of high performance. He always says it's not just about him.”
Reports of the Bulldogs’ offer came last week and Gabelich confirmed that there was more money attached to the deal that was tabled to Leppitsch at the Whitten Oval.
While Gabelich believes Leppitsch considered the deal closely, he ultimately chose to remain at Collingwood as they hope to go back-to-back in 2024.
“The Western Bulldogs came pretty hard for Justin Leppitsch, they wanted him to be the Director of Coaching, working with Luke Beveridge at the Whitten Oval,” Gabelich said.
“They've got a lot going on in terms of reshaping that football department. They tried their best to get Justin Leppitsch, but he's recommitted to Collingwood which is a massive coup for them and their chances of going back-to-back and building a dynasty.
“That’s because of the quality of the person and what he's brought to the club.”
As well as Leppitsch, Gabelich says rival clubs are considering plays for other members of Collingwood’s coaching department including Brendon Bolton, Hayden Skipworth and Scott Selwood.
“Clubs have come for Brendon Bolton as well, along with Hayden Skipworth,” Gabelich said.
“Scott Selwood is the unknown at this point, he has some opportunities elsewhere. My understanding is Brisbane is one of the clubs that are looking at Scott Selwood.
“He settled back in Victoria after spending a lot of his life living in the west, so we'll wait and see.”
While the Dogs missed out on Leppitsch, Gabelich believes they’ve already moved on to their next target in Matthew Egan.
Egan is currently the Head of Development at Geelong and previously worked at Melbourne and Essendon.
“The Western Bulldogs, they're not going to sit around and feel too disappointed about missing out on Justin Leppitsch,” Gabelich said.
“They would have loved to have signed him because of his quality. But Matthew Egan is now a target of theirs to join Luke Beveridge.
“Matthew Egan is a really highly rated coach.”