Overview
- Heppell will begin with the Magpies in the New Year and serve as a development coach for the 2026 season.
- The former Essendon captain played 253 AFL games, earned All-Australian honors in 2014 and won the club's Crichton Medal.
- In 2025 he played for Port Melbourne in the VFL and featured in Leongatha's Gippsland League grand final.
- Collingwood's reshaped program also includes Matthew Lokan returning to coach the VFL side after Andy Otten's departure.
- Premiership defender Tyson Goldsack has been appointed an assistant coach, with Scott Selwood and Josh Fraser exiting and Fraser joining Carlton.