Pies extend AFL rookie lifeline to Murray

Collingwood plan to keep Sam Murray as an AFL rookie as he awaits his fate from an ASADA investigation.

Murray tested positive in August, allegedly to an illicit substance, and potentially faces a four-year ban if found guilty.

The Magpies will delist Murray and then plan to retain him in the rookie draft.

They did the same with Josh Thomas and Lachie Keeffe in 2015 after they received two-year doping bans.

Thomas was a member of last month's losing grand final side and Keeffe, who was de-listed from Collingwood at the end of last season, is now at GWS.

The Pies will also de-list Tim Broomhead and aim to retain him as a rookie.

Tyson Goldsack, Brody Mihocek, Josh Daicos and Levi Greenwood have re-signed, while 2010 premiership player Jarryd Blair leads five Collingwood de-listings.

Blair, a popular figure at Collingwood, played 157 games for the club, but only two this season.

The Magpies also announced on Tuesday that Kayle Kirby has retired.

He collapsed earlier this year in a VFL pre-season game because of a heart issue and played one senior game for the Magpies.

Adam Oxley, Josh Smith and Sam McLarty are the other Collingwood players to be delisted.