Less than a week after claiming the club’s 16th premiership cup, Collingwood has confirmed the departures of five names, with each of Trey Ruscoe, Trent Bianco, Tom Wilson, Arlo Draper and Cooper Murley not offered contracts for the 2024 season.
The Magpies now have a total of four players still unsigned for next season, with the entire crop of off-contract names not featuring in the flag-winning side.
Aiden Begg, Josh Carmichael, Will Kelly, Nathan Kreuger haven’t earned new deals as of yet, with a number of list calls to be made over the coming weeks as the Magpies work their way through the player exchange period.
As stated by the Pies in a Friday night press release, Ruscoe, Bianco, Wilson, Draper and Murley have departed the AIA Centre with the club’s best wishes.
“Decision-making at this time of the year is always tough and we thank each of the players for their contribution to the Collingwood Football Club,” Collingwood GM Graham Wright said.
“Trent, Trey, Tom, Arlo and Cooper have all played an important role in this year’s success and that has not gone unrecognised. We thank them for their dedication to our football program.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club, we wish each player all the very best for their futures and we hope they continue to work towards reaching their football potential.”
The quintet combined to make 49 senior appearances in black and white bars, all despite Draper and Murley failing to make their AFL debuts during their time with the Pies.
While the Pies’ press release confirmed the group’s departures, Ruscoe’s alerted the many members of the Magpie Army to his delisting on Wednesday, confirming his exit via Instagram.
“Wow, what a journey it has been,” Ruscoe wrote.
“I’ve met some amazing people along the way that I am just so thankful for and I’m just so happy that I got the opportunity to play at such a great club.
“The friendships I have made will be forever lasting and I will miss everyone from the club so much. Everyone has played a massive part in my career and I have learnt many lessons on the way which I am so thankful for.
“To the Collingwood faithful fans you have been awesome and we/I couldn’t have done it without your support the whole way through, thank you @collingwood_fc.”
Delisted free agency will run over three separate windows this off-season, the first being from November 1.
