Collingwood’s veteran forward, Jamie Elliott, has revealed a surprising shift in his post-playing career aspirations. While he never envisioned himself in a coaching box, his extensive experience and deep understanding of the game have prompted him to seriously consider a future in football development.
At 33 years old and now one of the senior figures at the Magpies, Elliott has stepped into a leadership role within the forward line following the departures of key tall forwards Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek. He’s found a new sense of purpose in mentoring and nurturing the club’s emerging talent.
“Honestly, coaching wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing,” Elliott admitted. “You see the sheer amount of work that goes into it. But then again, when you’ve been around the game for as long as I have, you accumulate so much knowledge, so why wouldn’t you want to utilise that?”
He’s currently mulling over the possibility of transitioning into a coaching or development role once his playing career concludes. Elliott anticipates taking a break to disconnect from the intensity of professional football for a period.
“Definitely, when I do finish, I’ll have a year off probably to get away from it all,” he explained. “And then potentially, I’ll miss it and come back into it. I feel like I know the game pretty well, and I’m keen to help the younger guys coming through, perhaps in a development role. There’s definitely a space there for me.”
Elliott’s leadership capabilities have seen significant growth, culminating in his official inclusion in the Magpies’ leadership group prior to last season, a position he’s retained for 2026. He believes this role has had a positive impact on his own game.
The Impact of Mentorship
“I’ve been in the system long enough where, especially last year, when I got put into the leadership group, I feel like the growth in my game came around helping others,” Elliott stated. “And getting the best out of them, which actually in turn, helped my football.”
This mentorship has been particularly evident in his work with the club’s promising crop of small forwards. Elliott has been instrumental in the development of players such as Beau McCreery, Lachie Schultz, Harvey Harrison, and Bobby Hill.
Welcoming Bobby Hill Back
The return of Bobby Hill to Collingwood training after a personal leave of absence has been a welcome development. Elliott expressed his optimism about Hill’s reintegration into the team.
“It’s great to have Bob back in the building,” Elliott said. “He looks happy and healthy, and that’s the most important thing. There will be a process for him to get back to playing, of course. He’ll need to put in a solid block of work, earn the trust back from the coaches and his teammates, and hopefully, we’ll see him out on the field again soon.”
Collingwood is gearing up for their next challenge, facing GWS at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. This encounter is one of three scheduled meetings between the two sides for the current season.
