Collingwood premiership hero Craig Kelly has all but been announced as the club's newest CEO, with the determined stopper-turned-player manager expected to commence his tenure in early February.
Kelly's expected arrival comes in the wake of Mark Anderson's departure last November after five years in the role. Kelly's former teammate Graham Wright has since been acting as chief executive on an interim basis.
Having co-founded Elite Sports Properties - now TLA Worldwide - since retiring at the cessation of the 1996 season, Kelly has become a powerful face in the player management scene, with Brownlow medallists Lachie Neale, Nat Fyfe and Trent Cotchin on the agency's books.
Yet, with the ability to help steer his old side from the boardroom rather than the locker room on offer, it appears imminent that Collingwood will announce the 56-year-old's return.
"The former player agent-turned-businessman will soon be announced as the new Collingwood CEO," 7News' Mitch Cleary reported.
"Nothing official yet from the Pies, but it's expected he will start here in the first week of February."
Kelly first walked through the club's doors in 1986 after being plucked from South Australia during the first modern iteration of the AFL/VFL draft.
Tasting premiership success during the Woods' drought-breaking success in 1990, the stopper hung up the boots six seasons later after 122 games in black and white bars.
Kelly's arrival at the AIA Centre will also act as a professional reunion, with the shrewd manager's son, Will, currently a listed player on Craig McRae's roster.
