Collingwood’s VFL program will have a new lead voice in 2025, with assistant coach of two seasons Andrew Otten taking over from Club legend Josh Fraser.

Fraser, who returned to Collingwood at the back end of 2022 after a decade-long, 200-game playing career in black and white, has led the Club’s VFL side in conjunction with his role as Head of Development for the past two seasons.

He will now continue to oversee the Club’s young talent as Head of Development, however, has handballed the responsibility of VFL Head Coach to Otten.

Otten too arrived at Collingwood in late 2022 and has been part of Fraser’s suite of VFL assistant coaches and development coaches and will now head up his own side for the first time.

The 35-year-old enjoyed a 109-game playing career with the Adelaide Crows between 2008-19, before spending time at the Box Hill Hawks as an assistant coach.

Fraser, who has coached at state league level for over a decade, said it was a fitting time for him to take a step back.

“The time was right for me to step away from the VFL, I’ve done it for a long period of time and when you look at our coaching development group, Otto is the most experienced,” he said.

“My role now is to support him and help foster growth through this next period in terms of recruiting and trying to build a list.

“It’s exciting for him because you learn so much about yourself and your coaching and your philosophies and how you manage people when you’re in charge of your own side.

“I’m excited for him. My role is to help support him as best as I can.”

Otten said it had been an enjoyable journey to get this stage in his coaching career, and that he was excited to keep leaning on the likes of Fraser during his opening year as coach.

“I first started at Hawthorn where I crossed paths with Fly. I was there for three years and then I got over here in season 2023 and it was so surreal to be involved in the coaching group here,” he said.

“Being led by Frase and being under him for the last two years and him really showing what the VFL program’s all about and showing how to go about it has been great.

“I had my own belief that I did want to do this (senior coaching) one day and it’s come to fruition.

“I feel like I’ve been building towards this for a few years now so I’m really keen to put my skills on show with what I’ve learnt.”