Collingwood's off-field issues continue to roll on with a petition championed by a long-time Magpie fan leading to a potential leadership spill of the board.
40-year member David Hatley campaigned outside of the MCG prior to Sunday's match against Port Adelaide.
With 650 signatures needed to force an EGM, the Collingwood members came in full force with "almost double the number of signatures needed" being collected, according to Hatley.
The petition comes after fans unrest over the leadership instability and turnover plaguing the club in recent times.
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Collingwood President Mark Korda went on ABC Grandstand radio pleading for calm from fans.
“Coups aren’t in the best interest of any football club,” Korda said.
"We can do better and listen better."
While admitting "we've made a few mistakes along the way", Korda still believes in the future of the club. His position remains the same, wanting these matters sorted after the end of the season.
The petition comes after the appointment of Dr. Bridie O'Donnell to the board of directors. Dr. O'Donnell has been a Collingwood member for less than two years, making her ineligible to be appointed to the board as per Clause 30 (a).
This clause states “No member shall be qualified for election as a member of the board unless he (or she) shall have been a member of the club for at least 24 months immediately prior to nomination.”
This followed a potential presidency challenge from AFL executive and former Channel 9 executive Jeff Browne.
Caroline Wilson previously reported to The Age that Browne was a "strong favourite" to win the presidency after Eddie McGuire's resignation.
This uncertainty surrounding leadership is compounded by Collingwood's' on-field problems.
The Magpies dominated all major statistics but came up one point short in a thrilling match against premiership fancies Port Adelaide.
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After the heartbreaking one-point loss to the Power, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley refused to comment on the presidency matter.
“I don’t have a message for them (the members). I coach the footy team,”
"There’s a lot of focus on plenty of things that none of those boys or I are in control of. Ask the question of the people who are."
Head of La Trobe Financial, Greg O'Neill, who are one of Collingwood's major sponsors, has called for fans to prioritise the club and players over their own personal opinions and agendas.
“At present, there are several vocal, dissatisfied members, who have genuine concerns for the club’s future, who feel they don’t have a voice and want to be heard," O'Neill said.
While he appreciates that Magpie fans have valid concerns over the club's past six months, he hopes that "common sense could prevail".
O'Neill remains optimistic about the club's future.
"All good member-based organisations find ways to work these matters out and Collingwood will too because they are a great club," he said.
Prior to the past six months, leadership has been the one constant for the Magpies. Collingwood has not held an election since 1998, the year Eddie McGuire took over the presidency role.
With a large membership response from the EGM petition, it appears that Collingwood might be heading for their first election in 23 years.
“Thank you Magpie Army for your overwhelming response today at the MCG and online to our petition to end the disconnect between the members of our football club and the board,” Hatley said in a statement posted to Twitter on Sunday night.
“Your amazing support means we already have double the number of signatures needed for an EGM.
“Because this initiative is about giving members a real voice, we will keep the petition open until next week’s game to give all members a chance to have their say.”
While only high-level Collingwood members can officially force an EGM, Hatley wants all fans involved.
Any Magpies fans can voice their opinions in the survey on magpiesvoice.