JORDAN Roughead is set to stay at Collingwood in a revamped role working across both the men's and women's programs, having turned down an approach to become Fremantle's new AFLW coach.
The 33-year-old Roughead will take on a role as opposition and development coach for the Pies' men's side, while continuing his position as a senior assistant with the women's program.
It's understood Roughead, who has a close relationship with the Dockers' head of football and operations Bob Murphy, was sounded out to become the club's new women's coach following the departure of Trent Cooper last month.
But the former Collingwood and Western Bulldogs defender, who retired as a player midway through last season, rejected Fremantle's advances and is set to remain in Victoria for the foreseeable future.
Roughead brought an end to his 201-game playing career in May as he battled ongoing shoulder and finger injuries. But he stayed at Collingwood as the AFLW side's senior assistant working under coach Steve Symonds.
His new role will encompass both the men's and women's programs, seeing him continue in his role under Symonds as well as provide ongoing support to men's head coach Craig McRae.
Fremantle's search for a new senior AFLW coach will continue, with the club electing to part ways with the popular Cooper after the side missed finals for the first time since 2018 following a disappointing 3-6-1 season.
Elsewhere, the Dockers have recently been linked by rival clubs with a potential move for champion midfielder Karen Paxman. However, it's understood the veteran Demons midfielder declared some time ago that her intentions were to remain with the club in 2023.
Paxman, 34, is an inaugural Melbourne AFLW player and played a key role in the side's premiership victory over the weekend. She finished the Grand Final victory over Brisbane with 10 disposals and four tackles.