Coach Craig McRae

[Masked Magician]

There’s a similar one in the herald sun that covers mostly the same thing but my god he’s saying the right things. It’s like he’s trying to seduce the supporter base and I’m buying everything he’s selling at the moment.

There’s clearly a need for a key forward that crashes a pack and contests. I’m wondering if he’s looking at a Coleman-Jones or an Emerson Jeka from his past clubs with some background knowledge or whether he could look at Riccardi or Weideman and think there’s something to work with.


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Leppa on radio this morning gave Weideman a massive wrap!

 

[Roverjg]

I think I'm legitimately in love.

This is the most excited I have been about a coaching appointment in 35 years.

 

[Jen2310]

The HS one. Pretty similar

New Collingwood coach Craig McRae

Craig Mcrae

Age

52

Ht

176cm

Wt

73kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.9

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

16.2

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.4

5star

wants the Magpies to get more bang for their buck next season, eager to turn the AFL’s lowest inside 50m entry team back into a scoring force.
The Magpies were ranked last for inside 50s and third last for points scored this year, with their inability to get the ball into attack one of the key reasons behind their 17th-placed finish.

McRae, appointed as Nathan Buckley’s replacement last Wednesday, is already looking at ways to boost the club’s scoring profile next year from a team and tactical standpoint, with a heavy focus on giving the club’s forwards more opportunities in 2022.

“When I presented through the (coaching) process, there (were) some holes in the (playing) list if you want to play a certain way, so I am conscious of saying we are going to play a certain way,” McRae said of his plans to remedy the club’s forward woes.



“This is our first opportunity to say we need less possessions and we need to go forward more. If we go forward more, we are going to kick to more contests, so we need to improve our contest (work) because we want the ball inside 50, to give us more chances to score.

“That’s one of the initial things I have said (to the players). We are going to have to improve in the contest because that’s the way we are going to have to get the ball forward.”

In his first expansive interview since taking on the senior role, McRae detailed his plans to:

# HELP explosive midfielder/forward Jordan De Goey

2

Jordan De Goey

Age

30

Ht

188cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.7

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.1

5star

CL

2.3

4star

D

15.8

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.7

3star

CL

2.3

4star

D

11.6

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

become “the best version of himself”, including seeing him return to day one of the preseason fit and ready to fire




# LOCK Darcy Moore permanently in defence, ending any idea of using him as a swingman

# CHALLENGE Brodie Grundy and the midfield group to develop a closer on-field synergy in order to take advantage of the ruckman’s hit-out dominance

# ALLOW Scott Pendlebury the chance to decide his future as captain, while conceding the club had some work to do on its leadership group

# TEMPER the initial expectations surrounding boom father-son recruit Nick Daicos, while providing him with the best possible grounding in his first year

# LIFT the tackling and pressure ratings of the club’s 2021 debutants.

McRae spoke to the Collingwood playing group on Wednesday, outlining some of his plans for the future as well as his expectations of them going forward.

He will look to finalise a coaching panel around him in the coming weeks, with his former Brisbane premiership teammate Justin Leppitsch

Justin Leppitsch

Age

50

Ht

191cm

Wt

97kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

8.3

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.2

3star

No current season stats available

D

8.2

2star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.4

3star

M

0.6

1star

T

1.0

3star

almost certain to join the club.

Hawthorn assistant coach Brendon Bolton is also in the mix.

“When we get our coaching panel together, we will sit down and (say) ‘How do we want to play and what suits our list?’ McRae said.

“I want the contest to be a focus, how we set the field up in offence will be a focus, how we set the field up in defence will be focus and there will be some strategies around stoppage.”



McRAE’S SAY …
JORDAN DE GOEY

“He is certainly a player who we want to be the best version of himself. There are two parts to that for me - the choices he wants to make to be that player, which ultimately is up to him to decide, but then it is the environment that we create to allow him to be.

“I am hoping he makes the choice that he does (want to be the best version of himself). Those decisions he makes now in that time before he gets back (to preseason training) are pretty critical to set him up for that.

“We want to create an environment where he is challenged, and he is rewarded, and he is motivated, and he is happy. Then to create an opportunity for others to push him and feel part of something bigger than himself. That is the challenge in professional sports, that your own needs are met, but we also want the team’s needs to be met more.”




DARCY MOORE

“I was really strong when I was here last time that I thought Darcy could be one of the best key defenders in the game.

“I am certain he will be part of the back six (in the future).

“Darcy is such an intelligent guy. He wants to be a young leader of the group.”

BRODIE GRUNDY

“I said to him in the meeting (on Wednesday) … ‘when I was last here you never said much … Are you going to speak up in meetings now? This is your chance’. I was encouraging him to come out of himself and give more to others.

“I think Brodie is at that stage in his football (career) where we need him to be more than just a good preparer and maybe good at hitouts. We want him to connect. If he is connecting, hopefully we get more connections in the hitouts.”




MASON COX

“I am really proud of Mason and of what he has been able to achieve in the game. (But) he would be the first to say he wants to do more.

“I think it is interesting with guys like Mason and Jamie Elliott and Darcy (Moore) and Brodie (Grundy), these guys I have had relationships with for a long time.

“But I have got to be very clear that I am not going to have favourites.

“The level of relationship has been built, but we can’t have favorites. Mason is a good example of that. I want the best for him, but also I want the best for the Collingwood Football Club and that’s going to come first.

“The list management decisions will be made with and without me, but Mason will be a talking point.”

NICK DAICOS

“I think expectations can overwhelm people at times. I haven’t spoke to the young lad yet, but I plan to.

“I was fortunate enough to catch up with Chris Connolly and his experience with Jack Watts at Melbourne. Jack Watts was the No.1 pick and (Connolly’s) comment … was ‘he was coming in to develop and we (gave) him to the least experienced coach’.

“I don’t want to fall into that trap, so maybe the highest pick needs to go to (our) most experienced coach.”




BRISBANE’S MAD MONDAY ORGANISER

“I didn’t drink during the season (as a Lions player). Many of us didn’t because we were very disciplined in our want to be the best. (But) I would get to the end of the year and I would want to have a beer with my mates and celebrate.

“We would have a few guys who would go to a pub and then they would stuff something up and we would get kicked out. One year we got kicked out of three pubs and I thought ‘what are we doing?’ I am not going to mention names, but I thought, ‘stuff this … I am taking this over’ and then all year I was planning this big event.

“The 2003 one (after the club’s third straight flag) was the best. It became a real event. It was a great time of my life, we were very tight (as a team). They are special memories now.”

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[swoop42]

Well, I moved.

 

[Jonno94]

Didn't think I would be this impressed after I wanted Pyke but we've made the right choice here.

 

[Jen2310]

Didn't think I would be this impressed after I wanted Pyke but we've made the right choice here.

I originally wanted Pyke too, but now.. Geez, I wouldn't have wanted anybody else. I'm so impressed that nobody else can come close.

 

[jonmacTrag]

I originally wanted Pyke too, but now.. Geez, I wouldn't have wanted anybody else. I'm so impressed that nobody else can come close.

It's all about that long apprenticeship he served at a number of clubs. Working under good coaches in different clubs and environments has shaken him loose from rigid one club points of view.

His preparation is obviously painstaking and thorough - pity the next recruit who tried the dog and frisbee act.

 

[Carringbush2010]

Regardless of history even before Bucks took the reins there were (and still are) a significant number of posters that tore into him for no reason except personal dislike.

Soz for the late reply, but I think you're talking about a very very few posters. Most of the negative backlash was the 'succession plan' itself not a personal attack on Bucks - think you'll find most on here are not Buckley 'haters' but rather 'succession plan' haters.

And for good reason, you don't hand the keys of an F1 car to an L plater, which is what the club did and the rest is history. As soon as there was dissent among the playing group there is no known universe this plan was going to succeed.

Yeah sure there are other mitigating factors of why it didn't succeed, not the point, the point is it's highly likely this plan was not necessary to begin with. On face value it looked like Ed sh*t himself that Bucks might leave the family - speculative yes, but was it a necessity? Certainly not.

Now we have a P plater with a Toyota Yaris, much more suited to one another. In a year or two maybe that P plate can trade it in for V8 HSV or something that can contend along with good 'driving' ability.

 

[Apex36]

I originally wanted Pyke too, but now.. Geez, I wouldn't have wanted anybody else. I'm so impressed that nobody else can come close.

It’s all well and good to be impressed by him so far, he’s saying all the right things, but most new coaches do. They sell hope to the supporter base. Proof will be in the pudding if he can actually produce the results he speaks of.
It would be wise to remember that Buckley was a wonderful public speaker and said all the right things when he got the senior gig too.
Im liking the appointment so far, but the gushing over him in this thread is OTT so far imo, he doesn’t have the runs on the board yet to deserve the kind of praise he’s receiving.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I think I'm legitimately in love.

Geez, I wouldn't have wanted anybody else. I'm so impressed that nobody else can come close.

Sounds like Jen’s heart already belongs to another, PS. I feel your pain.

 

[Trickster]

He certainly seems very impressive and astute after reading that. I also like the fact he's challenging Grundy and De Goey plus recognising the youngsters needing to shoulder the load a bit more.

Just the start of the journey, but certainly an impressive start from him! Just need to contain the excitement now.

 

[tranquilli lace]

It’s all well and good to be impressed by him so far, he’s saying all the right things, but most new coaches do. They sell hope to the supporter base. Proof will be in the pudding if he can actually produce the results he speaks of.
It would be wise to remember that Buckley was a wonderful public speaker and said all the right things when he got the senior gig too.
Im liking the appointment so far, but the gushing over him in this thread is OTT so far imo, he doesn’t have the runs on the board yet to deserve the kind of praise he’s receiving.

You're right, we should stop being positive.

 

[jonmacTrag]

He certainly seems very impressive and astute after reading that. I also like the fact he's challenging Grundy and De Goey plus recognising the youngsters needing to shoulder the load a bit more.

Just the start of the journey, but certainly an impressive start from him! Just need to contain the excitement now.

Comes across as thoughtful and extremely well prepared.

You simply can't beat an extensive and varied apprenticeship.

 

[Jen2310]

It’s all well and good to be impressed by him so far, he’s saying all the right things, but most new coaches do. They sell hope to the supporter base. Proof will be in the pudding if he can actually produce the results he speaks of.
It would be wise to remember that Buckley was a wonderful public speaker and said all the right things when he got the senior gig too.
Im liking the appointment so far, but the gushing over him in this thread is OTT so far imo, he doesn’t have the runs on the board yet to deserve the kind of praise he’s receiving.

Of course. But he does have something Bucks didn't at the time. A real decent amount of experience and success.

 

[Carringbush2010]

I still find this wide reaching sentiment that we're way off finals perplexing honestly.

I'm clearly in the minority, but as I did in 2017 twice, I don't think our list is as bad as is being made out. We finished 6th in 2020.

It's very easy to crap on a list when the club is losing due to a combination of a few key injuries and terrible coaching with players down on confidence.

This is still a list that contains the likes of Moore, Grundy, De Goey, Pendlebury, Elliott, Adams, Roughead, Maynard, Howe, Daicos etc etc.

You throw in the best 18 year old in the country, maybe a rejuvenated Sam Weideman and a fresh and hopefully competent coaching group with just a dash of luck with injuries and I don't see why finals are completely out of the question next year.

Hell, maybe even Cox can finally be used properly playing under someone competent that he loves (and loves him back) to become the key forward we're craving?

I'm not suggesting it's guaranteed to happen, but as I was in 2017, I'm just not as dismissive of the idea that finals are so out of reach for this group.

The quality of the list isn't the problem, it's the imbalance that is the problem. I agree this list quality is not a bottom 4 team.

It's likely that coaching and development have been a big problem in that, it's likely that will improve.

It's because of the imbalance in age / experience and Key position that makes it difficult to function as a competitive team. A team of 23 Dusty's or Goeys are gonna get smashed week in week out - regardless of how good they are.

I'm not convinced this is a top 8 side either, it will take continuity and game experience to get it there, that's a season or two away IMO.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

The preferred game plan would not be finalised until the full coaching panel was completed and they determined what best suited the playing group. “When we get our coaching panel together we’ll sit down and go, ‘OK, how do we want to play and what suits our list?’ But within that, the contest will be a really strong focus, how we set the field up in offence will be a really strong focus and how we set the field up in defence and some strategy around stoppages so they’ll be some key pillars.”

This is the part I loved. Coach to your players’ strengths, or get new players. Bad coaches put their players in a position to fail. A “brand” of football is a wank.

 

[jonmacTrag]

Of course. But he does have something Bucks didn't at the time. A real decent amount of experience and success.

He doesn't have something Bucks had at the time though.

A divided and bitter playing group after the divisive actions of a vindictive old trd.

 

[MooreTreloar]

I think there’s a few things to remember here.

- Most supporters aren‘t expecting an overnight rise up the ladder, we recognise that things could get worse before they get better. The trick with this is that whilst it’s easy to say now we’ll need to stay the course and remember this, not get into a fit if we’re 1-10 at the halfway point next season. Easier said than done I know.

- McRae is coming in at pretty much the basement where as Buckley came straight in at the penthouse. Now this isn’t a dig at Buckley as most coaches or assistant coaches would’ve taken the exact same job Buckley did in 2012. Scott did a year earlier at Geelong but those were different circumstances. In 2011-12 we were talking about making the 2010 a dynast in 2021 were talking about making this young group competitive enough to rise up the ladder over the years to come.

The truth is we wont know for a few years but I hope we hold our nerve and back McRae in for the full 3 years to start with, put everything around him he needs to succeed, give him the best chance.

I’m optimistic and excited for the start of the 2022 season and whilst I don’t expect miracles I’m hoping to see the start of a very strong foundation being built.

 

[MooreTreloar]

^^My above post wasn’t having a go at anyone more so just an outlet for my thoughts.

 

[Jen2310]

I'm very excited for Pre-season to start! It'll be interesting to see how things are run. Whether its the drills, footy stuff early? We also do need another high performance boss. I imagine that will come once they sort out the footy coaches.

 

[Trickster]

I think there’s a few things to remember here.

- Most supporters aren‘t expecting an overnight rise up the ladder, we recognise that things could get worse before they get better. The trick with this is that whilst it’s easy to say now we’ll need to stay the course and remember this, not get into a fit if we’re 1-10 at the halfway point next season. Easier said than done I know.

- McRae is coming in at pretty much the basement where as Buckley came straight in at the penthouse. Now this isn’t a dig at Buckley as most coaches or assistant coaches would’ve taken the exact same job Buckley did in 2012. Scott did a year earlier at Geelong but those were different circumstances. In 2011-12 we were talking about making the 2010 a dynast in 2021 were talking about making this young group competitive enough to rise up the ladder over the years to come.

The truth is we wont know for a few years but I hope we hold our nerve and back McRae in for the full 3 years to start with, put everything around him he needs to succeed, give him the best chance.

I’m optimistic and excited for the start of the 2022 season and whilst I don’t expect miracles I’m hoping to see the start of a very strong foundation being built.

It's also good that he'll have more assistants and support around him, plus hopefully some development coaches as I think some kids have stagnated (Browns, Murphy) albeit no VFL last year or full season this year.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Maxwell has been our leadership and culture manager since 2017. Are we looking to add to an assistant to Maxwell or has he been moved to another role or departed the club?

Yeah, I saw that too.

It didn’t appear to be a ringing endorsement for Maxwell in the role, did it?

ps. Hard to imagine Maxwell departing the club without an announcement.

 

[BringouttheGimp]

This is not a case of there being a fraction of too much friction man.. just got to be patient with the Fly mate.. let him grow in to the role.. deal with the ups and downs.. learn from em and improve.. until he's at a stage where he is the best in the league.. and then he betters his best.

That's the goal.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Nothing makes football more fun than hope.

So true!

And nothing makes football more frustrating than expectations!

 

[pablo disco bar]

I for one hopes he gives Cox a 1 year deal...one last roll of the dice.