Collingwood Cuts Six Players as List Reshaping Begins

Collingwood has moved swiftly at the end of its 2026 campaign, cutting six players from its list, including former second-round pick Jakob Ryan and ex-cricketer Wil Parker.

The Pies confirmed that Ryan, Parker, Lachie Sullivan, mid-season draftee Mitch Podhajski, defender Joel Cochran and ruckman Iliro Smit have all been delisted as the club turns its attention to another list reshaping.

Player Exits

Sullivan, a hard-working midfielder who forced his way into the senior side for 26 games across his time at the club, found opportunities scarce this year and managed just two appearances before falling out of favour. His exit underlines the squeeze on Collingwood’s midfield depth.

Parker’s story was one of the more intriguing in recent years. Recruited as a Category B rookie after a promising cricket career with Victoria, he carved out 14 AFL games across three seasons. The experiment is over now, but his shift from the crease to the Sherrin always gave the Pies a different kind of project player.

Ryan arrived with high hopes as pick No.28 in the 2022 draft. He broke through for his debut in 2023 but that lone AFL outing proved his only taste of senior football in black and white. For a former second-round selection, his departure is a reminder of how ruthless list spots have become at the top end.

Podhajski, a mature-age recruit taken in May’s mid-season draft, managed two AFL games and offered depth through the middle and forward of the ball. His stint was brief, his window narrow.

Cochran, selected with pick 47 in the 2024 draft, and Smit, another mid-season recruit, never cracked the senior side. Both spent their time trying to build form and presence in the VFL, but the jump to AFL level stayed just out of reach.

“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,” Leppitsch 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.”

For Collingwood, the decisions clear valuable list spots and cap space ahead of the national draft and another aggressive off-season. For the six players cut loose, the next contract, and perhaps the last shot at AFL level, now lies in the hands of rival clubs watching on.