The following statement has been issued by Collingwood chief executive, Mark Anderson.

“Collingwood is deeply disappointed by inaccurate comments made by a one-time employee yesterday.

“The comments were aimed at Collingwood list manager, Ned Guy, and by extension the Collingwood football department and cannot be allowed to pass without being corrected by the facts.

“For the record, in 2019 Guy attended 137 AFL, SANFL, WAFL, TFL, NEAFL and NAB League matches. He travelled approximately 67,000 km to do so. On average he attended five matches a week.

“In 2020, Guy lived outside of Victoria for four months, and away from his wife and young children for two months, to escape the Covid-19 lockdown in place at the time. This enabled him to scout matches in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.

“Guy flew approximately 37,000km on behalf of Collingwood in 2020 to attend 49 matches (a Covid-19 reduced figure) and interview potential recruits. Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine honoured a similar schedule.

“Collingwood recruited eight players in the 2020 national and rookie drafts and is widely seen to have chosen wisely.

“Guy has been an industry professional for almost two decades and has the widespread respect of his peers, many of whom are offering their support in light of the claims they know to be untrue.

“Given these facts, Guy is reserving his right to further action.”