Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has backed midfielder Sharrod Wellingham to put his troubles behind him, saying he is having a significant impact at the AFL club.
Wellingham comes out of contract at the end of the year and his management has started negotiations for a new deal.
Leon Davis’ departure means Wellingham is now the senior indigenous player at the Magpies and at 77 games, McGuire points out the onballer is also coming into the prime of his career.
But Wellingham has also frustrated the Magpies with his off-field misbehaviour, most recently serving a two-game suspension at the start of this season for drinking while injured.
“Sharrod is a good young man – he had a couple of dramas along the way, as everyone does, but he’s a really good fella,” McGuire said.
“He’s important, one as a player, because he’s very good, but two it’s important for a club like Collingwood to have leaders in the indigenous community, being leaders in our community.”
McGuire and Wellingham attended Tuesday’s launch of an indigenous traineeship program that will have the backing of a $500,000 donation from the Magpies.
“Kids look up to him as an indigenous Collingwood player and I think he’s shown some really big steps, particularly in the last few weeks,” McGuire said.
“He’s gotten himself fit, he had some injuries, he’s played some really good football.”
Wellingham also revealed on Tuesday that contract negotiations were now underway.
Asked if he might be looking for a change, the native West Australian said “certainly not”.
“We’ll wait and see how that pans out over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“I’m very happy at the moment.”