Collingwood coach Craig McRae opened up in a raw and emotional interview on Channel 7’s Unfiltered, sharing heartfelt insights about his family’s connection to war and the struggles of his early coaching career. McRae, known affectionately as ‘Fly’, recalled the poignant moment when he presented his grandfather’s war medals before a team speech ahead of Anzac Day in 2023, an act that many players described as “life-changing.”
During the interview with Hamish McLachlan, McRae discussed how his family history shaped him, particularly the impact of war on his grandfather and the stories shared by his father. He described these stories as not just historical, but as deeply personal and tied to his identity. “War changed my grandfather, which then changed my dad, and then there was a flow-on effect of that,” he revealed, his voice heavy with emotion.
McRae brought along his grandfather’s medals to augment the significance of his message on Anzac Day. “It’s a pretty big day, Anzac Day, and we’re all on the calendar looking forward to it,” he explained, emphasizing his desire to provide context to his players. When he stood in front of them, he felt overwhelmed by a rush of emotion. “I just remember having this feeling of these thunderbolts through my arms,” he recounted, his eyes glistening as he remembered the intensity of the moment.
As he reminisced about the horrors faced by his father and grandfather, McRae admitted, “Yeah, I heard some of the stories, and they’re not … they’re not great stories. They’re horrible stories.” The powerful exchange highlighted the deep familial scars left by conflict, which McRae felt compelled to share as a part of his and his team’s growth. He concluded by articulating the complexity of honoring war veterans: “We decorate our soldiers, and we glorify (them) to some degree, but, you know, there is a side of war that is hard for families.”
Beyond this emotional exploration, McRae also reflected on the early, trying years of his coaching career. Transitioning from his own playing days, which included 195 games with Brisbane, he struggled significantly in the beginning. Following his retirement in 2004, he joined Richmond as an assistant coach, marking the start of a 15-year journey across various clubs before landing his first senior role at Collingwood in 2022.
During the Unfiltered episode, McRae admitted that he didn’t initially aspire to become a senior coach. “I don’t think I did. When did you decide you might want to?” McLachlan prompted. “When the phone rang,” McRae replied. Reflecting on his struggles, he said, “Tough times. Struggling, not thriving,” while recollecting how little he was paid initially.
At Richmond, McRae revealed that his salary was about half of what he would eventually earn at Collingwood, despite working significantly longer hours. “Yes. Tough times. Struggling, not thriving,” he stated, as he expressed how he managed this alongside family responsibilities, including raising a young child. “I loved coaching, I really did. That was my escape, if you like.”
His passion for development and teamwork kept him motivated through those challenging times. “I have a passion for young men to get better and teams coming together and winning and succeeding,” he said. “People volunteer their time; they want to be attached to clubs. That’s all I’ve ever known.”
McRae’s resilience paid off. Since taking over as Collingwood’s senior coach, he has achieved remarkable success, with a record of 50 wins out of 74 matches, leading the team to their first premiership in 13 years in 2023 with a narrow win over Brisbane.
However, his success comes with scrutiny. Recently, McRae faced criticism following an incident in a match against GWS Giants, where he seemed to make a derogatory remark towards GWS star Toby Bedford. He ultimately acknowledged that he had “crossed the line” and dealt with the media attention that followed. When asked if the constant scrutiny made him question whether the job was worth it, he did not hesitate: “I love my job; it’s the best job in the world when you’re winning,” but admitted, “when you lose it’s the worst job.”
Reflecting on his journey, McRae's experiences of overcoming personal battles, combined with the challenges of coaching at the elite level, paint a picture of a man dedicated to his craft and passionate about the young athletes he mentors. His story serves as an inspiring reminder of the sacrifices athletes and coaches make, often hidden behind the bright lights of success.
