NEW ERA: Netflix set to release a documentary titled “Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White” in April, offering an unprecedented look into the storied Collingwood Football…..

 

NEW ERA: Netflix Set to Release a Documentary Titled “Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White” in April, Offering an Unprecedented Look Into the Storied Collingwood Football Club

 

In a groundbreaking move that is sure to captivate sports fans around the globe, Netflix has announced the upcoming release of a feature documentary titled “Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White.” Set to premiere in April, the docuseries promises an intimate, never-before-seen exploration into the culture, history, and transformation of one of Australia’s most iconic and polarizing sports clubs: the Collingwood Football Club.

 

For over 125 years, Collingwood has been more than just a football team—it’s been a symbol of working-class resilience, a powerhouse of Australian Rules Football, and a lightning rod for controversy and glory alike. With Netflix’s unparalleled production capabilities and global reach, this new documentary marks a defining moment for the club as it steps boldly into a new era—one marked by reform, redemption, and renewed relevance in modern Australia.

 

A Global Spotlight on a Local Icon

 

“Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White” is Netflix’s first deep dive into the Australian Football League (AFL), and it’s a fitting introduction. Few clubs in the AFL—or any professional sporting league—possess the blend of tradition, tension, triumph, and tragedy that Collingwood does.

 

Directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Eva Orner and produced in collaboration with the AFL and the Collingwood Football Club, the documentary has been in the making since early 2023. With unprecedented access to players, coaches, board members, and even long-time supporters, the film peels back the curtain on a club that has too often made headlines for all the wrong reasons—but has never stopped fighting to be better.

 

According to Orner, the project was never just about sport.

 

> “This is a story about identity, evolution, and resilience,” Orner says. “It’s about a club confronting its past, reckoning with its future, and doing it all under one of the brightest—and harshest—spotlights in Australian sport.”

 

 

 

A Club Reborn

 

The documentary is anchored around three pivotal chapters in Collingwood’s recent history: its efforts to confront systemic racism, the generational shift in leadership, and its remarkable on-field resurgence leading to a premiership title in 2023.

 

At the center of that story is Craig McRae, the affable but fiercely driven head coach who helped steer Collingwood from a fractured organization to a unified premiership-winning side. His calm demeanor, paired with a relentless belief in connection and accountability, reshaped the club’s internal culture. Viewers will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at his coaching philosophies, emotional team meetings, and the human stories behind the players.

 

Players such as Darcy Moore—club captain and the son of Collingwood legend Peter Moore—also take center stage. His evolution from a young recruit to a modern leader is portrayed not just through game footage, but through personal interviews and moments of quiet reflection. Moore’s eloquence and integrity have come to symbolize the new face of Collingwood: inclusive, aware, and aspirational.

 

Also prominently featured is former club president Mark Korda and his successor, Jeff Browne, whose tenure marked a shift in the club’s internal governance and external image. The film doesn’t shy away from revisiting the club’s tumultuous boardroom battles, nor its response to the damning “Do Better” report in 2021, which revealed a culture of systemic racism within the organization.

 

Instead of skirting these issues, “Beyond the Black and White” dives headfirst into them, exploring how the club confronted those failures and what tangible changes have since taken root. From the elevation of Indigenous voices within the club to partnerships with community organizations, Collingwood’s journey of reconciliation is a key theme.

 

The Fans: Love and Loyalty

 

No Collingwood story would be complete without the fans. Passionate, proud, and fiercely loyal, the Magpie Army is one of the largest and most vocal supporter bases in the league. The documentary includes powerful testimonials from lifelong supporters, many of whom passed the love of the black and white stripes down through generations.

 

From outer-suburban pubs to the MCG’s screaming stands, the camera captures the visceral highs and heartbreaking lows of following Collingwood. Emotional scenes include reactions to the 2018 Grand Final loss, the drama of close matches in the 2022 and 2023 finals series, and the pure ecstasy of the 2023 premiership win.

 

There are also stories from marginalized voices—fans from multicultural and Indigenous backgrounds who speak candidly about their complicated relationship with the club, and how Collingwood’s efforts to change have restored their pride in wearing the jumper.

 

More Than Just a Game

 

“Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White” is not just a sports documentary—it’s a social commentary, a historical review, and an ode to transformation. It contextualizes Collingwood’s journey within the broader scope of Australia’s cultural evolution.

 

It highlights the responsibility elite sporting organizations carry in today’s world, not just to win games but to lead by example in how they treat people, build communities, and foster inclusivity. And it asks a fundamental question: Can a club so steeped in tradition rewrite its legacy for the better?

 

A New Era Beckons

 

With its April release, the documentary is expected to reach millions across Australia and beyond, shining a global light on the AFL and its most scrutinized club. Already, early trailers and preview screenings have generated buzz among Collingwood supporters and sports media outlets alike.

 

Netflix’s global distribution means that viewers from Los Angeles to London to Lagos will soon gain an appreciation for Australia’s unique sporting landscape—and the proud, painful, and powerful journey of the Collingwood Football Club.

 

As the club moves forward, building on its 2023 triumph and continuing to evolve off the field, “Collingwood: Beyond the Black and White” feels like a timely marker in its history. It’s a reminder that redemption is always possible—and that even in the darkest of times, transformation is only ever one decision, one conversation, or one goal away.

 

 

 

 

“Collingwood: Beyond the Blac

k and White” premieres worldwide on Netflix this April.