McRae refuses to let Magpies get carried away
CRAIG McRae wants Collingwood to be judged more down the track than for its early season sugar hit despite a secondstraight victory on Saturday.
A 42-point defeat of an underwhelming Adelaide delivered the Magpies their best start to a season since 2013 but an early litmus test looms against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night.
As promising as the two wins for McRae’s men is the way they have quickly adopted his more attacking and direct game style.
Collingwood had an army of contributors as well, with defenders Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore and Scott Pendlebury prominent and Jordan De Goey outstanding in one particular third-quarter cameo in the centre.
“The way we took territory was really pleasing. I think we were plus-1000m in territory and we won the inside-50 battle, (which is) just the way that we want to play,” McRae said.
“If you come watch us now; you’re starting to see a little bit of a trend of how we want to play, so the challenge, as this game is really hard, is to do it every week, because oppositions start to take things away from you.
“(The Crows) tried to take a few things away from us, which makes things harder, but I think the territory was something we’re really proud of.”
McRae expects to lose former Cat Nathan Kreuger, who suffered a suspected left shoulder dislocation in the final quarter after a two-goal debut.
Mason Cox (ankle), who missed the round 2 win, could reclaim his place as Kreuger’s replacement, while Taylor Adams (migraine) sat out most of the final term.
Second-year forward Jack Ginnivan produced a careerbest 21 disposals and had eight score involvements, a week after his post-match celebrations drew criticism.