Lion-hearted Pies coach
NEW Collingwood coach Craig McRae was hailed as “a proven winner” and expert educator who will make it a priority to improve the Magpies contest work and forward supply next season.
The man who has been groomed by Leigh Matthews, Damien Hardwick and Alastair Clarkson was unveiled as Nathan Buckley’s permanent replacement on Wednesday, confident his calm demeanor, resilience and relationship skills helped make him “the best person for the job”. McRae, who won three premierships as a player at Brisbane and has coached in the AFL for the past 15 years, said it was him aim to help Collingwood rise “as quick as we can” after finishing second last in 2021. “We are all aligned in knowing that we have got some work to do to get up the ladder,” McRae said.
“I’m sitting back at the minute looking at the best versions of every team (in finals) and seeing things we can implement in our game plan.
“I’m certain that we will improve our contest. That is something from afar I’m keen to implement and I want to play an exciting brand that the fans will be happy to come watch and cheers us loud.”