Heartbreak in the Collingwood Camp: McRae s Honest Take on the Pies Finals Exit

Following an uneven season that would most likely see them finish outside the top eight, Collingwood coach Craig McRae stated his squad will be watching this year’s finals series with “a sick feeling in our guts.”

Collingwood would need Port Adelaide to defeat Fremantle and St Kilda to defeat Carlton by almost 150 points on Sunday in order to go to the finals.

With four wins in their previous five games and only one loss between Rounds 3 and 14, the Magpies will most likely become the third defending champion in four years to miss September football.

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Pies triumph under erratic circumstances | 01:56
After crushing Melbourne by 46 points, McRae remarked, “We’re sitting here not where we want to be.”

“This time of year, we would prefer to play finals, but the game provides feedback.”

“After 24 rounds, the game determines where you sit, and we are currently seated on the out, so we still have work to do.

It’s been a difficult year, and watching the finals will be difficult. Yes, it will be.

“We’re playing a style of football that might challenge a few teams in the championship, but that’s been a little unrealistic.”

McRae isn’t abandoning his existing playing list, though, just yet.

The Collingwood coach thinks his team has at least one more shot at a premiership left in them, especially with a more injury-free season the following year with the club planning to keep all nine of its players who are over 30 until 2025.

“Although I haven’t seen the live ladder, I assume we’re not too far from second place, are we? Third? I’m unsure,” he remarked.

That’s a little margin, then, isn’t it?

“Based on 24 rounds, we’re not far off.”

“Will not be traded in any circumstance” | at 01:21
However, McRae has high expectations for a ready-made key forward and will also be searching outside assistance to bolster his roster this off-season.

He declared, “I’d love a key forward.”

“While I don’t mean to disparage Dan (McStay) or ‘Checkers’ (Brody Mihocek), their absence for a significant portion of the year has left a gaping void.

“They’re hard to find, so if you know of any just out there that want to come play for Collingwood, let me know.”

Collingwood was someone McRae anticipated would be involved in trades and free agency.

Superstar Nick Daicos, meanwhile, nearly secured three more Brownlow votes against the Demons, which could be sufficient to secure the most coveted individual award in the sport.

McRae remarked, “It would be good for him to get recognised.”

Although he is one of the best players in the competition, there are a few other excellent players as well.

“Wow, that kid is a really good player. We got to see Isaac Heeney in a quarter (in Round 22).

“‘Bont’ (Marcus Bontempelli) is someone I adore greatly.” enormous fan