Mcrae takes charge of Pies
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 for 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 demeanour, 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.
Mcrae was unfazed by the storm brewing at board level and said he would quickly get to work on a game style and brand that would focus on winning more contested ball and scoring opportunities.
“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.”
The appointment was a popular one with the playing group with Mcrae returning to Olympic Park after a stint in 2011-15 as Magpies’ development coach before joining
Richmond’s premiership reign in 2016.
Mcrae’s premiership teammate Justin Leppitsch is set to join him at Collingwood in a strategy role while Buckley’s former assistants Robert Harvey and Brenton Sanderson will not be assistants at Collingwood next season.
The Pies’ new boss has been widely praised for his personal attributes and received glowing character references from some of the most respected figures in the game.
“At every stage of the (appointment) process Craig impressed immeasurably around his experience and the success he’s had in every single role he’s had,” CEO Mark Anderson said.
Mcrae, who was a former school teacher, believed “everything I am as a person and coach” fit the Collingwood coaching brief.
“I just (like to) create great relationships and show respect for all people,” he said.
Mcrae, who was the 2019 VFL premiership coach and assistant coach of the year, said we would implement high standards form the get-go and was unafraid to have tough conversations.
Mcrae joked that he offered former Hawthorn mastermind Clarkson the chance to become the Pies’ new stoppage coach if Clarkson was short for work next season.
Collingwood scored the third-least number of total points for the season.
And Mcrae said that he would quickly get to work on the balance of attack and defence.