Former Giants director Bartel in talks with both Pies and Dees about footy department roles

Jimmy Bartel is reportedly talking to both Melbourne and Collingwood about a footy department role.

The Geelong great stepped down from his position as GWS’ footy director at the end of the 2024 season as he was keen to explore other AFL opportunities.

SEN’s John Donohoe revealed that he’s now in preliminary talks with both the Demons and Magpies, with Melbourne keen to add to their footy department, while Collingwood is on the search for a new footy boss after Graham Wright’s resignation.

“Keep an eye on Jimmy Bartel over the next month or two,” Donohoe told AFL Trade Radio.

“He’s a free agent from a club perspective after his stint as GWS’ (footy) director recently finished.

“My understanding is he's been talking to Melbourne and Collingwood. It’s all preliminary at this stage, but the Dees are keen to beef up their footy department and he has an excellent relationship with Simon Goodwin.

“The Pies are obviously looking for a footy boss at the moment.

“They're in the middle of a review at the Dees, so there’s plenty still to play out in this one, but keep an eye on Jimmy Bartel and Melbourne in particular.”

Bartel joined GWS in 2018 as a board member and played a key role in the club’s list calls. He also was a key figure behind the appointment of Adam Kingsley as coach in 2022.

He worked before that in a part-time consultancy role in Brisbane’s list management department.

Bartel has continued working in the media throughout his time in key roles in clubland.