Collingwood's 2026 Smithy’s VFL season is about to kick off, with a new look Pies side set for a big year.
While last season saw the VFL program reach the Wildcard Final with 11 wins on the board – a vast improvement from the previous year’s four – the year also brought with it the development of young Collingwood talent in the likes of Roan Steele, Charlie West and Will Hayes who all made their AFL debuts in 2025.
With the season set to be opened on Friday 27 March against the GIANTS, here are all your questions answered ahead of season 2026.
Who’s on the list?
After a 15-year VFL career that yielded 176 games and VFL Life Membership at the 2025 VFL/W Awards, Tom Wilson announced his retirement from playing at the end of last season.
2025 Captain Sam Glover also won’t return this season, with the swingman retiring after 80 VFL games.
Glover’s departure has paved the way for new Collingwood VFL Co-Captains Brady Grey and Ben De Bolfo to take the helm in 2026.
Having both joined the Pies in 2025, Grey and De Bolfo made immediate impact to the VFL program.
Playing 16 games for the black and white in 2025, 30-year-old Grey became an integral cog in Collingwood’s VFL engine room, providing essential leadership to the young AFL-listed talent developing their skills in the VFL.
23-year-old De Bolfo came across to Collingwood from the Box Hill, with the 33-VFL gamer showcasing his strength in the backline last season.
After sustaining an injury in his Round 6 debut, De Bolfo had a more consistent string of games from Round 14 and became a consistent performer in defence.
Collingwood kept busy in the off-season, bolstering their list and recruiting 15 high quality players to the VFL program.
Former North Melbourne trio Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle and Eddie Ford have joined the black and white, as too has Taj Woewodin, the son of former Demon and Pie Shane.
The Club’s strong recruitment will help to complement the AFL-listed talent set to filter through the side across the season.
Ins: Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Eddie Ford, Taj Woewodin, Charlie McCartin, Michael Lewis, Oskar Faulkhead, Zavier Maher, Hamish Collins, Robert Varcoe, Rod Ali, Josiah Landy, Nick Thompson, Xavier Laverty
Outs: Sam Glover, Tom Wilson, Angus Seivers, Christian Algeri, Josh Tovey, Boston Dowling, Chad Mulvogue, Conor Willis, Riley Mason, Josh Murphy, Jake Watts, Michael Kiraly, Curtis Taylor, Zane Cochrane, Lachlan Batchelor
What does the fixture look like?
In February, the AFL announced the first 13 rounds of the 2026 VFL season, with the Pies set to host four home games in the opening block.
Following a Round 1 bye, Collingwood will launch its campaign at the KGM Centre against GWS in a Friday afternoon clash – a precursor to the AFL side’s meeting with the GIANTS later that evening at Marvel Stadium.
The Magpie Army will have four opportunities to see both VFL and AFL sides in action across double-headers, highlighted by the Round 5 VFL Anzac clash with Essendon at Victoria Park ahead of the AFL’s traditional Anzac Day fixture at the MCG.
See the full 2026 VFL fixture here.
What about the coaching structure?
Former Pie Matthew Lokan returned to the KGM Centre in October last year, taking the reins as VFL Senior Coach following the departure of Andy Otten at the end of 2025.
Lokan, who played 46 games for the Magpies between 2003 and 2005, previously held senior coaching roles at SANFL clubs Glenelg (2015-2017) and Port Adelaide (2018-2022), while also heading the role of Head of Development in Port Adelaide’s AFL program.
After retiring from playing at the end of last season, Wilson will transition into an assistant coaching role in 2026 alongside AFL Premiership Pie Nathan Murphy.
AFL Development Coach Chloe McMillan will also return to the VFL coaching line up this season.
Marc Souphoulis, Euan Jackson and Collingwood Hall of Famer Gavin Crosisca will serve as development coaches.
How can I stay up to date?
All VFL matches are streamed live and free via AFL.com.au, with select matches set to be broadcast on ABC and Kayo SPORTS.
Match reports, highlights and exclusive content can be found via Collingwood’s website and on the Club’s VFL Instagram and X channels.
