Rival clubs are reportedly “astounded” that the AFL has not reprimanded Collingwood coach Craig McRae for his latest in a string of in-game antics. McRae, who almost always coaches from the bench, is building a reputation for engaging with opposition coaches, supporters in the crowd, and now an opposition player during matches.
Background of incidents
The 2023 premiership coach was forced to apologise last year after admitting an interaction with GWS coach Adam Kingsley during their Opening Round clash went too far, but he avoided sanction from the AFL. He dodged official scrutiny again three weeks ago when he asked a member of the crowd to pass him the game ball during the Magpies’ draw with Hawthorn, before turning his back when the ball was thrown to him, allowing it to roll on the ground and away from the boundary umpire. This was a blatant example of time-wasting that once again went unchecked by the league.
Interaction with Brodie Grundy
Then came his interaction with former Magpies star Brodie Grundy during last Friday night’s narrow loss to Sydney. McRae was pictured mouthing some words to Grundy when the Swans big man came within metres of his former coach as the ball went out of play. Speaking to Channel 7 after the game, Grundy played down the incident. “He just said ‘G’day, old mate’. It was nothing untoward, all in the spirit of it. He just bobbed up right then and there,” Grundy said. McRae wouldn’t be drawn either when asked what was said at his post-match presser. “I’d love to be able to share but I can’t share exactly what I said to him,” he said. “But it was all respect, trust me, it was all respect. I’ve got great respect for what he’s doing. Nothing untoward.”
Reaction from clubs and media
On Monday night, Caroline Wilson told The Agenda Setters that there was in fact much more to it than Grundy and McRae let on. “Well, it might have been all respect, but it certainly wasn’t, ‘G’day, old mate’, and I don’t think Brodie Grundy was particularly impressed by what Craig McRae said,” Wilson said. “We’ve agreed, after talking to the Swans, we’re not going to reveal what was said. Yes, it was positive, but it was personal and it happened in-game. Four other clubs I’ve spoken to today are quite astounded.”
Wilson said it was poor behaviour from a coach who should know better, and that it didn’t go unnoticed by the Swans. “You see that McRae says something to him. Now, we’re in-game. We are in-game,” Wilson emphasised. “For an opposition coach to go and talk to a player, even if it’s with a positive message of a deeply personal nature, I don’t believe is on. And neither did the Sydney Swans. In fact, straight after the game, the media executive from the Sydney Swans, Tom Chadwick, goes over to Brodie Grundy to find out exactly what was said — also to tell him he had won the medal for the game that night. Nobody wants to say what was said but no one at the Swans was particularly impressed.”
Comparison with other coaches
Wilson added that the Swans’ own policy, under former coach Dean Cox who coached from the bench, included a rule not to talk to opposition players, coaches, umpires, or spectators. That rule is now followed by Simon Goodwin, who coaches from the bench. “The Swans haven’t complained but four clubs are really surprised at what Craig McRae is doing, and he does have priors,” she said.
Of the incident in the Hawthorn game — which was very similar to that of Adelaide forward Ben Keays against the Western Bulldogs in Round 2 — Wilson added: “That was a blatant time-wasting that no one called him out on. At the time, I thought it was a little bit odd, and four clubs have said to me they couldn’t believe the AFL didn’t call him out at the time. The view from the other coaches is if you are going to coach from the bench, don’t talk to the opposition, and don’t talk to other coaches, and don’t engage with spectators and slow down the game. If that was Alastair Clarkson I promise you he would’ve been sent back to his box by now, as he was in the past, by the AFL. Some people at the AFL weren’t even aware of the incident on the weekend, which amazes me.”
Further commentary
Nick Riewoldt said: “It’s a bizarre thing, knowing what we know, to go and talk to a player during a game of football. If you want to communicate a message, send him a text message.” Craig Hutchison added: “It’s a bit cheeky, some will say it’s childish. Others would say you’re using a little bit of an edge to try and maybe get inside Brodie Grundy’s head within the rules.” Wilson concluded: “I’m not accusing Craig McRae of trying to put Brodie Grundy off his game but several clubs have the view it could put off several players. Coaching from the bench is a relatively new thing. If you’re going to behave like that, then don’t coach from the bench.”
