Latest news with #CraigMcRae
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Magpies won't ‘stand still' on recruiting stars
Collingwood coach Craig McRae says he won't 'stand still' in chasing rival players after reports the Magpies are interested in luring Carlton defender Jack Silvagni. Silvagni, a famous Carlton name, is a restricted free agent at season's end and has reportedly been tabled a four-year extension by the Blues. The 128-game Blue has been sidelined with groin soreness but had previously been enjoying a career rejuvenation in defence. McRae has been an open book when it comes to the Magpies' stance on recruiting rival players and doubled down again on Friday. The premiership coach said whether it was Silvagni or another player, the Magpies were always looking to bolster their list. 'I've said opening many times about looking for free agents, unrestricted free agents is something we want to continue to explore,' he said. Collingwood coach Craig McRae was open about his club's interest in recruiting rival players, including Carlton's Jack Silvagni. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia 'Whether it's Jack or someone else, we'll step into that because we don't want to stand still. 'We want to better than what we are now and next year – we want to look at avenues to bring players in that we think can do that.' McRae confirmed he was part of list management discussions and said he would meet with Silvagni if the Blue was the right fit in black and white. 'I am heavily involved in those situations,' he said. 'Just making sure this is the right platform and environment for players to make them feel like they can come and be the best version of themselves. 'I would meet with Jack, yeah, if that was something that was important to us.' Carlton is set to lose ruckman Tom De Koning to St Kilda and it also was reported to have shut down forward Charlie Curnow exploring a move to Gold Coast. The potential arrival of Silvagni would be a huge boost to Collingwood, which has reshuffled its cards in defence as a result of injury this year.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Collingwood coach's worrying confession as skipper faces possible sanction from AFL
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has admitted he's worried his side has lost their "spark" in close games after suffering a second-straight defeat by a goal or less. And Sunday's loss to Fremantle could be compounded by a possible sanction looking over captain Darcy Moore. Moore slid into the back of Josh Treacy after the Dockers player secured the match-sealing mark. Lachie Schultz heaved the ball forward in the dying stages, but it landed in Treacy's arms for a 12.7 (79) to 11.12 (78) victory. Moore came in very late and slid into the back of Treacy on the ground, with his knees collecting the Fremantle player. Treacy cried out in pain as Dockers players remonstrated with Moore, with the umpire paying a 50m penalty to Freo. Moore is likely to attract some attention from the match review officer - even if it's just a fine. Social media was rife with angry reactions to the incident, with many demanding the AFL issues some sort of sanction to the Collingwood skipper. One person wrote: "Darcy Moore should be cited for rough conduct for two knees in the back of Treacy there. Treacy had the mark on the ground and was in a vulnerable position." Craig McRae's concerning admission after Collingwood loss Meanwhile, McRae has expressed concerns over his side's form in close games. Collingwood have been the masters of tight finishes since McRae took over in 2022, but their one-point loss to Freo came nine days after the ladder leaders fell six points short against Gold Coast. The Magpies led by 22 points early in the final quarter on Sunday, but conceded the final four goals to go down by a point. "This is not something you've ever got handled because every game is opportunity," McRae said in his post-game press conference. "Managing those moments will forever be something we need to do. If the scoreboard is an indication, we haven't managed it well enough (in the last two weeks). We've lost three close games this year. Have we lost our spark? You'd hope not. But reality is, we'll keep getting better at it. I'd rather learn these lessons now." The Pies were dominant in inside-50s, winning the count 63-40. But McRae lamented his side's lack of connection up forward. "I had this real inner trust and belief that we were doing enough right in the game ... the pressure was there," McRae said. "It shows how we thought Fremantle were really, really good. When they needed to get the job done, they really came hard. They play a good brand of footy when they're up and going fast. Maybe they should play a bit more of that at times. It's a good version of them." RELATED: Coach rejects Harley Reid claim as Hinkley wows with Ginnivan response Jake Stringer cops sanction from AFL after GWS victory over Essendon Fremantle daring to dream of AFL finals footy The upset victory sends Fremantle into seventh spot - two games clear of the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs - as they aim to play finals footy for the first time since 2022. The Dockers have now beaten five of the other seven top-eight teams, and they are yet to face second-placed Brisbane. "What we've been doing for 10 to 12 weeks now is just live in the moment," coach Justin Longmuir said. "Understand we've got processes to be able to enjoy wins, move on from wins, and then prepare for the (next) opposition. Our fans can get excited. Absolutely. People within our footy club will get excited. But as far as the coaching group and players are concerned, we've just got to enjoy this and then move on." with AAP
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daicos puzzle for Fly after Pies' wake-up call
Collingwood coach Craig McRae is eager to see more of Josh Daicos as an inside midfielder, but concedes his hands might be tied for the clash with Fremantle. An elite half-back and wingman, Daicos was outstanding when moved into the engine room last round. The 26-year-old produced a 16-disposal, two-goal final quarter that almost dragged the Magpies to a comeback win over Gold Coast. But with super-boot Dan Houston (abdominal strain) sidelined, McRae could be forced to use Daicos in defence against the Dockers at the MCG on Sunday. "Everyone in the footy world will be wondering where he starts this week," McRae said. "With Dan out, it will be challenging to keep him out of the back-line for major parts. "But I think also we'd be silly not to explore what that (inside midfield option) looks like, whether it's this week or going forward. "He had a remarkable impact on the (Gold Coast) game. "He's an elite talent in the game and I honestly think you could play him anywhere and he'll have an impact. "It's about what the team needs." Josh Daicos SAULTES! 🫡 🔥What a start to the fourth term from our number 7! — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 11, 2025 McRae conceded Josh's superstar younger brother Nick Daicos was sore during the Gold Coast clash, when he had 26 disposals and six clearances. But he said the Brownlow Medal favourite had rebuffed the idea of playing in the substitute role, amid suggestions he should be rested before the finals. "The facts were he looked sore and the GPS says that," McRae said. "He's getting beaten up a bit but that's part of the job, isn't it? "It's hard to keep him out though ... it's a challenge to keep one of the best players off the field but we're very conscious of his loads." The loss to the Suns was only Collingwood's third of the season, cutting their lead on top of the ladder to six competition points. McRae agreed it had put a bit of fire back in his team's belly ahead of the Fremantle clash. "We got served a pretty ugly meal at the start of the game, particularly at halftime without scoring a goal," McRae said. "(It was) a little wake-up call ... there's a lot of things in this game that we think will serve us well at another time when needed. "Whether it's coming from behind to get up or fighting for every inch in every minute we have in games. "But I'd like to think the pencils are a bit sharper this week." McRae confirmed Beau McCreery (hamstring), Brody Mihocek and Pat Lipinski (both managed) would all return against Fremantle. Veteran flyer Jeremy Howe (groin) will miss, along with fellow defensive mainstay Houston. Bobby Hill requires a short training block to return to full fitness, set to miss a fourth straight game after sitting out because of personal reasons and illness.
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Collingwood coach Craig McRae on Josh Daicos the midfielder
The untimely injuries to defenders Jeremy Howe and Dan Houston will likely restrict the midfield time Collingwood allocate to Josh Daicos. Daicos made the most of his opportunity in the midfield last week against Gold Coast with one of the more impressive single quarters of football. But Houston (abdominal) and Howe (adductor) are set to leave holes in the Magpies' defence across the next fortnight. Collingwood coach Craig McRae admits it will be hard to leave Daicos out of a wounded back six this week but says the Pies would also 'be silly' not to push him into the middle more. 'I think everyone in the footy world will be wondering where he starts this week,' he said. 'With Dan out it would be challenging to keep him out of the backline for major parts, but I think also we'd be silly not to explore what that (midfield) looks like. 'Whether that's this week or going forward, he had such a remarkable impact on the game.' McRae says Daicos is itching to get into the midfield alongside brother Nick but will move his magnet in line with team demands. 'I remember saying to him in the third quarter, 'Josh, you ready to go into the midfield?' And he jumped up before I even made the decision,' McRae said with a laugh. 'He was that eager to get in there and put his real stamp on the game, it was fantastic. 'He's got elite talent and he's got to a level of the game where he's an elite talent in the game. 'We could honestly play him anywhere and he would impact, but it's about what the team needs in Josh's best skill set. 'This week we might need him a bit back, a bit in the mid and a bit on the wing – gee it's nice thought to have, that you could play him in multiple positions.' The Magpies will have three first-choice defenders out for Sunday's game against Fremantle, with Billy Frampton needing another week on the sidelines. But in a welcome addition, Collingwood will welcome back pressure forward Beau McCreery from his hamstring lay-off. 'Did you watch training today? (Beau) was outstanding. We're really excited to have Beau back, he was touch and go last week,' McRae said. 'We chose to get a bit more load into him over the weekend, so Beau will play and bring back that customary chase and pressure which we've missed the last month. 'Billy (Frampton) won't play this week … fingers crossed he'll be available next week, but we'll see how we go.'
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Collingwood coach Craig McRae on Tom Mitchell and the selection squeeze
Collingwood coach Craig McRae says the positional flexibility of his veterans could alleviate the selection squeeze involving ball-winner Tom Mitchell. Mitchell last week returned for his first senior game in 14 months after injury and seven consecutive weeks in the reserves. The Brownlow Medal winner's absence had opened the door for young midfielder Ned Long and their potency in the same side has been widely speculated. Long attended the most centre bounces of any Magpie in last week's win over Carlton, while Mitchell gathered his team's third-highest number of disposals. McRae confirmed that Mitchell would take on Gold Coast on Friday and hinted at an adjustment of roles for some of his midfielders. 'Tom recovered really well, we were excited for his first game back after 14 months and he'll play again this week,' he said. 'He looks really hungry to get involved in a game like this. 'I think we've got flexibility in our team to do multiple things, reality is they're all somewhat similar. 'But we've got flexibility for a couple of those to play a few different roles – let's just wait and see on that one.' Collingwood is set to welcome back small forward Lachie Schultz after a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring issue and illness. 'He trained really well today, he was ill last week and it was really the only reason he didn't play,' McRae said. 'He'll play this week, no one is in doubt, it's (illness) probably been two weeks now and it was worse last week, to be honest. 'We used a bit of the old times, don't come in if you're sick. It's not a bad policy.' The Magpies are 10 points clear on top the ladder and face an improved Suns on the road this Friday night. McRae said Collingwood needed to be mindful of Gold Coast's contest work at stoppages. 'I think any team in the eight right now is a challenge for all teams, Gold Coast are really hard to play against,' he said. 'Their contest is strong, their inside is strong, we're looking to getting up there with our Magpie army. They travel everywhere around Australia to watch us play. 'That's what happens when you play them all in the first 10 weeks, every week is the same, we approach it like no other. 'We just want to attack them with what we can, take away some of their strengths, and I'm sure they're trying to do the same to us.'
