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Ikon Park

Craig McRae

Brisbane and Brisbane Bears

Senior coach, Collingwood

AFL career

195 games232 goals

Debut
R1 1995 v HAW1 Apr 1995
Most recent
GF 2004 v PAD25 Sept 2004

Coaching career

123 games79 wins40 losses4 draws

First
R1 2022 v STK18 Mar 2022
Most recent
WF 2026 v WBD28 Aug 2026

Stats

2004
BRL
19
6.5
3.1
9.6
2.0
1.1
0.1
2.2
0.9
0.9
48
2003
BRL
20
6.6
4.0
10.6
1.7
1.0
0.3
3.1
1.3
0.9
54
2002
BRL
24
8.0
4.5
12.5
2.5
0.8
0.3
2.8
1.2
1.1
60
2001
BRL
19
7.6
3.4
11.0
2.7
0.7
0.6
1.5
1.1
1.1
50
2000
BRL
16
10.3
4.3
14.6
3.0
0.9
0.7
1.8
0.6
0.7
58
1999
BRL
24
11.1
3.0
14.2
2.9
1.3
0.8
1.5
1.7
1.3
65
1998
BRL
16
9.4
4.9
14.3
3.0
1.3
0.7
1.1
0.8
0.9
56
1997
BRL
18
9.6
3.9
13.4
2.3
0.8
0.8
1.5
1.1
0.9
55
1996
BRB
16
11.3
3.1
14.4
2.4
1.6
0.5
1.1
1.8
1.2
63
1995
BRB
23
10.0
4.9
15.0
2.0
1.2
0.9
1.7
1.2
1.0
60
League
Season
PAD
MCG
GF
8
1
9
2
1
0
0
2
0.2
43
GEE
MCG
PF
2
0
2
0
1
0
0
2
0.1
16
STK
Gabba
QF
10
5
15
2
3
0
0
1
3.2
73
KAN
Gabba
R22
9
6
15
5
0
0
0
3
0.1
67
STK
Gabba
R21
4
1
5
1
0
0
0
1
0.0
21
HAW
MCG
R20
10
4
14
1
1
1
0
2
2.1
60
WCE
Gabba
R19
3
4
7
1
0
0
0
2
0.0
28
SYD
SCG
R18
8
2
10
4
1
0
0
2
0.1
50
ADE
Gabba
R17
5
1
6
2
1
0
0
0
1.1
31
COL
MCG
R16
7
5
12
2
2
0
0
7
2.1
80
MEL
Gabba
R10
6
3
9
4
1
0
0
2
2.0
57
CAR
Gabba
R8
3
6
9
2
0
0
0
2
0.1
36
KAN
TD
R7
12
4
16
2
2
1
0
1
0.0
53
STK
TD
R6
8
3
11
2
0
0
0
1
1.0
46
HAW
Gabba
R5
6
2
8
2
3
0
0
3
2.0
55
WCE
SUB
R4
8
4
12
1
2
0
0
4
2.3
68
COL
Gabba
R3
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
0.0
16
ADE
AAMI
R2
8
5
13
2
1
0
0
2
1.1
56
SYD
Gabba
R1
6
1
7
2
1
0
0
2
2.2
49

Profile

Born
22 Sept 1973 (age 53y 29d)
Birthplace
Adelaide, SA
Height
176 cm
Weight
72 kg

Teams

Coaching

  • Collingwood (Senior Coach)
    2022–2026
    123 games (W79 L40 D4), 64.2%
    Premiership 2023

Honours

  • Premiership(3×) 2001, 2002, 2003

Bio

1 revision

Recruited from Glenelg in South Australia with pick 22 in the 1994 National Draft, Craig McRae carved out a niche as a disciplined and opportunistic small forward. Debuting for the Brisbane Bears in 1995, "Fly" became renowned for his ability to crumb off the packs of formidable key forwards like Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown. While rarely a high-possession winner, his influence was defined by his sharp efficiency in front of goal and relentless defensive pressure, helping to set the standard for the modern tackling forward role.

A vital component of the Brisbane Lions' historic dynasty, McRae played in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 premiership sides, famously kicking a crucial goal in the 2002 Grand Final against Collingwood. He retired at the end of the 2004 season after missing that year's Grand Final due to a hamstring injury. Following his playing days, McRae transitioned successfully into off-field roles, serving long coaching apprenticeships at Richmond, Brisbane, and Hawthorn before being appointed senior coach of Collingwood, where he guided the club to the 2023 premiership.

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