Pies delist senior pair including premiership winner and re-sign four players

Collingwood has today delisted senior duo Oleg Markov and Ash Johnson.

While they’ve been cut from the list, the club confirmed via a statement that they’re committed to re-drafting both as rookies for the 2025 season.

It’s the second time Markov has been delisted, having also been cut by the Suns after the 2022 season before landing at Collingwood where he has since played 35 games including the 2023 premiership.

Johnson has played 27 games for the Pies since being picked up in the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, he’s kicked 36 career AFL goals.

The club also announced the re-signings of Reef McInnes, Charlie Dean, Lachie Sullivan and Ned Long - who have all received deals for the 2025 season - and Magpies list boss Justin Leppitsch was pleased to retain the quartet.

“We are pleased to retain Charlie, Ned, Reef and Lachie for another season,” Leppitsch said via a statement.

“Charlie and Reef have had their own injury struggles, but their ongoing resilience has enabled them to easily slot back into our system.

“Since joining us, Ned and Lachie have shown great determination to learn our game plan and have seamlessly integrated into the team.

“All four players have added value to both our AFL and VFL programs and we look forward to seeing each of them take their football to another level next year.

“We’ve had to make a difficult decision around Ash and Oleg for 2025, but we are committed to re-listing them as Rookies in the upcoming draft in November.”

Markov and Johnson join Aiden Begg, Jack Bytel, Josh Eyre and Nathan Kreuger as delistings this off-season, although the latter quartet won’t remain at the club.

While the Pies plan on re-signing Markov and Johnson as rookies, rival clubs can sign them to their senior list during the delisted free agency window which runs from November 1 to 8.

The Pies will pick up former Saint Tim Membrey during that period, while they’ve also added Dan Houston (trade) and Harry Perryman (free agency) during this off-season.