He drafted premiership heroes Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and more.
Hine began his role in December 2003 and recruited some of Collingwood’s most famous names, including 403-gamer Scott Pendlebury, two-time premiership hero Steele Sidebottom, and current club stalwarts Jordan de Goey and Brayden Maynard, who were a part of Collingwood’s successful 2023 campaign.
Importantly, his drafting and recruiting created the bulk of two premiership sides in 2010 and 2023, as the club drew level with Essendon and Carlton for a 16th AFL premiership just a season ago.
His experiment with American ruckman Mason Cox also paid dividends, with the 211cm Texan single-handedly willing Collingwood to a preliminary final victory over Richmond in 2018 with a marking blitz.
During Hine’s period at the club, the Magpies reached 13 finals series out of 19 seasons with Hine in charge of recruiting.
“Thank you to everyone at Collingwood, past and present, for the privilege to serve this Club for over 20 years,” Hine said.
“It has been an incredibly enjoyable period of my life, and I leave Collingwood with many cherished memories and lifelong friends.
“I particularly want to acknowledge all the part-time recruiters who have worked in our talent program with over the journey who continue to work tirelessly to identify players across the country.
“I don’t take for granted how much the Club means to its Members and supporters, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”
According to reports by The Herald Sun, tensions between Hine and new list boss Justin Leppitsch were allegedly “well-known” in recruiting and player management circles.
With Leppitsch continuing to restructure the football department at the AIA Centre, the Magpies have already seen football boss Graham Wright depart for arch-rival Carlton, whilst fill-in general manager Brendan Bolton has taken an assistant coaching gig at St Kilda.
Collingwood has not yet named a replacement for Wright, with former Fremantle football general manager Peter Bell and ex-Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner being considered. With Hine’s departure, the Magpies will need to scout another recruiter to join the club, too.
In other staff moves, Collingwood reconnected with former Bulldog Matthew Boyd after he spent two years at the Dockers.
