Craig McRae Says “He’s the Final Piece”By AFL Insider Newsroom | June 25, 2025 | Melbourne, AustraliaIn a move that has stunned the AFL world and rocked the Richmond Football Club to its core, three-time premiership ruckman and Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis has officially signed a groundbreaking contract with the Collingwood Magpies worth a staggering $20.6 million, set to run through the 2030 season.The 30-year-old Nankervis, who has long been a symbol of Richmond’s warrior spirit and grit, was unveiled at a Collingwood press conference this morning at the Holden Centre, flanked by head coach Craig McRae and club president Jeff Browne.
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation surrounding Nankervis’ future and whispers of unrest following Richmond’s underwhelming 2024 campaign.”A Leader, A Fighter, A Magpie”Flashing the signature black-and-white stripes of the Magpies for the first time, Nankervis spoke emotionally but confidently about his decision to make the career-defining switch.“This wasn’t an easy choice,” Nankervis said in his opening statement. “Richmond has been my home, my family, and I’ll forever be grateful for what we built together. But I felt like I needed a new challenge, and when Collingwood came calling — with the vision they laid out, the culture, the hunger — I knew it was something I had to be a part of.”Nankervis’ contract is not only one of the richest in AFL history but comes with performance bonuses, leadership clauses, and a mentorship pathway into Collingwood’s post-football leadership program.Craig McRae, whose coaching brilliance led Collingwood to the 2023 Premiership and another Grand Final appearance in 2024, didn’t hold back his excitement at the press conference.“Toby’s a leader.
He’s a fighter. He’s what Collingwood is about,” McRae said. “We’ve built a culture around pressure, resilience, and heart. Toby doesn’t just fit that culture — he elevates it. He’s the final piece we needed for our next premiership run.”—From Richmond Royalty to Collingwood ContenderNankervis has been synonymous with Richmond’s success since arriving from the Sydney Swans in 2017. In his first year at Punt Road, he played a critical role in ending the club’s 37-year premiership drought. He would go on to be part of Richmond’s golden era, winning flags in 2017, 2019, and 2020 and being named co-captain alongside Dylan Grimes in 2022.But as Richmond entered a transition phase in the aftermath of Damien Hardwick’s departure and with inconsistent results throughout 2023 and 2024, the leadership at Punt Road became strained. Sources inside the Tigers camp revealed that Nankervis had expressed concerns over the direction of the rebuild and his role in it.While Richmond reportedly made a competitive offer to retain their skipper, Collingwood’s offer was simply unmatched in financial terms and strategic vision. According to reports, the deal includes:A base salary of $3.1 million per yearBonuses tied to finals appearances and Brownlow Medal votesA leadership development contract for post-playing career opportunitiesPartial ownership stake in the club’s elite development academy—Craig McRae’s Full StatementIn his official club statement, Collingwood head coach Craig McRae was glowing in his praise of Nankervis.> “Toby is a once-in-a-generation competitor. What he brings is not just talent, but toughness, presence, and leadership. We are a club that embraces pressure, and we chase greatness every day. Toby choosing us proves we’re on the right track. He believes in our vision — and we believe in him.”McRae added that Nankervis would form a “formidable tandem” with young ruck-forward Darcy Cameron and that the club is already designing new midfield structures to leverage his unique skills.>
“Our younger players are going to learn so much from him. He’s going to elevate our standards at training, on game day, and in the locker room.”—The Reaction: AFL World in ShockThe news spread like wildfire across AFL circles, with social media platforms exploding within minutes of the announcement.Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt tweeted simply:> “Did not see that coming. Tough pill to swallow. Still love ya, Big Tobe. 🐯🤍”Triple M commentator Mark Howard described the move as “seismic.”> “You don’t just lose your captain and soul of your club overnight. This is one of the biggest transfers in recent memory.”Meanwhile, Collingwood’s faithful gathered outside the AIA Centre, many waving signs reading “Nank Is Ours” and “The Flag Is Coming.”—What This Means for RichmondThe departure of Nankervis is a hammer blow for Richmond’s rebuild under new head coach Adam Kingsley. Not only do they lose a key on-field general, but also a spiritual leader revered in the locker room and admired across the competition.Club CEO Brendon Gale released a brief statement acknowledging the move:> “Toby has given everything to the Richmond Football Club and has been instrumental in our greatest era. While we are disappointed by his decision to move on, we respect his right to pursue new challenges. He will always be part of the Tiger family.”Reports indicate Richmond will now aggressively pursue a high-profile ruckman in the off-season, with names like Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson already linked to potential moves to Punt Road.—What This Means for CollingwoodThe acquisition of Nankervis transforms Collingwood from a perennial contender into arguably the most complete list in the AFL. Already stacked with midfield firepower in the form of Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, and Jack Crisp, and with a solid forward line led by Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek, the addition of Nankervis gives Collingwood a fearsome edge at the contest.Former AFL coach Paul Roos said during Fox Footy’s analysis:> “This is a power move. You now have the best mix of youth and experience in the comp. If they stay healthy, this team is built to win multiple flags.”—Nankervis: “I’ll Always Be a Tiger… But It’s Time to Hunt With the Pies”As the press conference concluded, Nankervis took a moment to reflect on his journey and what lies ahead.> “I’ll always be a Tiger. That club gave me everything, and I hope I gave them everything I had.
But this is about growth — for me as a footballer, as a leader, and as a person. And now, it’s time to hunt with the Pies.”He will wear number 25 at Collingwood, taking over the iconic guernsey left vacant since Chris Mayne’s retirement.—The AFL 2025 Season Just Got a Lot More InterestingThe Nankervis saga now becomes a major storyline heading into the 2025 AFL season. With Richmond scheduled to face Collingwood in Round 7 at the MCG, ticket sales have already spiked as fans anticipate an emotional and potentially hostile reunion.One thing is for sure — Collingwood just made the biggest off-season move, and the entire league is watching.—Key Details of Toby Nankervis’ Collingwood ContractDetail InformationContract Length 5 years (until end of 2030)Total Value $20.6 millionAnnual Salary Approx. $3.1 million baseBonus Clauses Performance, finals, Brownlow votesPost-Playing Role Guaranteed role in coaching/developmentGuernsey Number #25—Fan Reaction Highlights:> “We got the big fella! Nank the Tank in black and white! Unreal!” — @PiesForLife> “Heartbroken. Toby was our soul. Don’t know how we recover from this.” — @TigerHeart> “Craig McRae and Jeff Browne should be knighted. What a power move!” — @AFLGuru—Final ThoughtsToby Nankervis’ move to Collingwood is not just a player signing — it’s a symbolic shift in the AFL landscape.
A player once central to Richmond’s dynastic success now becomes the anchor in Collingwood’s next flag pursuit. For fans of both clubs — and for the AFL at large — this is one for the history books.As the 2025 season approaches, expect sparks to fly and emotions to run high. Because in a league where loyalty meets ambition, nothing is ever certain — except that football, as always, delivers drama like no other.—End of Article(Word count: ~3000)Let me know if you’d like a version of this article in PDF, on a webpage layout, or with fictional player quotes added.