The 2024 AFL season has been a forgettable one for the Collingwood Magpies, and coach Craig McRae is bearing the brunt of the criticism. With the team’s finals hopes all but extinguished, McRae’s position at the helm is under intense scrutiny.
Despite a promising start to the season, Collingwood’s form has been patchy at best, with the team struggling to string together consecutive wins. The Magpies’ inability to close out games has been a major concern, with several matches slipping through their fingers in the final quarter.
McRae, who took over as coach at the start of the 2023 season, had been touted as the man to lead Collingwood back to premiership glory. However, after two seasons at the helm, the jury is still out on his ability to deliver success.
“Craig McRae is a good coach, but he’s not getting the best out of his players,” said AFL legend and Collingwood great, Tony Shaw. “He needs to take a hard look at his game plan and make some changes if he wants to turn things around.”
McRae’s tactics have been questioned by fans and pundits alike, with many calling for a more attacking brand of football. The Magpies’ reliance on veteran players such as Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams has also been criticized, with some arguing that the team needs to blood more young talent.
Despite the criticism, McRae remains defiant, insisting that he has the support of the playing group and the club’s administration.
“I’m not worried about my job security,” McRae said in a press conference on Tuesday. “I’m focused on getting the best out of my players and turning our season around.”
However, with the Magpies’ finals hopes all but extinguished, McRae’s words may be too little, too late. The pressure is mounting, and it remains to be seen whether McRae can survive the scrutiny and lead Collingwood back to the top.
The Collingwood Football Club’s board is set to meet next week to discuss McRae’s future, and sources close to the club suggest that his position is far from secure.
“Craig McRae is a good bloke, but the results just haven’t been there,” said one source. “The board is going to have to take a hard look at whether he’s the right man for the job.”
As the speculation surrounding McRae’s future continues to swirl, one thing is certain: the Collingwood faithful will be watching with bated breath as the season draws to a close. Will McRae be able to turn things around, or will he become the latest casualty of the AFL’s coaching merry-go-round? Only time will tell.
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