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Matthew Lokan will return to the Collingwood Football Club in 2026, with the former player appointed as the VFL Senior Coach.
Matthew Lokan will return to the Collingwood Football Club in 2026, with the former player appointed as the VFL Senior Coach.
Lokan played 46 games for the Magpies between 2003 and 2005, before heading to the SANFL to play a total of 114 games for the Port Adelaide Magpies.
Since retiring, Lokan has held the role of senior coach at both Glenelg (2015 – 2017) and Port Adelaide (2018 – 2022) in the SANFL.
While working at Port Adelaide, Lokan was also the Head of Development in the AFL program, where he worked with the Club’s young and upcoming talent.
More recently, Lokan held the position of Talent and Development Program Coordinator and Director of Football at St Michael’s College in Adelaide, overseeing the development of athletes within the College’s cocurricular program, including boys’ and girls’ football teams.
Since 2023, Lokan has also worked as a Recruiter in Collingwood’s List Management team.
EGM of Football Charlie Gardiner welcomed Lokan to the Pies’ coaching team.
“We are very pleased to have Matthew back at the Club as our VFL Senior Coach in 2026,” Gardiner said.
“Matthew brings with him extensive AFL and State League coaching experience along with an education and development background. Through his coaching and development roles, he has proven he has been able to lead teams and build strong relationships that allow him to get the best out of his athletes.
“Matthew will also serve as a development coach within our AFL program, ensuring strong connection between our VFL and AFL programs and will be central to the ongoing development of our young players.
“We look forward to welcoming Matthew and his family back to Collingwood and seeing where he can take our VFL program.”