GWS coach Adam Kingsley didn’t appreciate Craig McRae’s actions on the bench on Sunday

A premiership-winning coach has earned a dressing down from the AFL after confirmation of what he said in a boundary line exchange with a rival.

Some “cheering” directed towards GWS star Toby Bedford was “not on” according to his coach Adam Kingsley and has resulted in an official warning for Collingwood counterpart Craig McRae for his sideline behaviour during Sunday’s Opening Round clash in Sydney.

McRae, who, like Kingsley, was coaching from the bench, has been “reminded him of his responsibilities while coaching from the bench” after a review of the incident by the AFL in which the Magpies mentor clapped Bedford after he gave away a 50m penalty.

Despite claiming post-match he was trying to be “humorous” with former coaching colleague Kingsley, McRae has earnt a rebuke from league headquarters.

“After reviewing the AFL match manager’s report and speaking with both clubs overnight and again this morning, the AFL Football Department has warned Collingwood coach Craig McRae and “reminded him of his responsibilities while coaching from the bench,” an AFL statement confirmed.

“No further action will be taken.

“McRae said ‘well done’ to an opposition player who gave away a free kick as he came to the bench. GWS coach Adam Kingsley saw the interaction and then told McRae ‘he was better than that’, with McRae then sitting down.

The moment between Adam Kingsley and Craig McRae on the sidelines.

“When on the bench or on-field, interactions between officials, coaches and/or opposition players need to continue to be conducted in a professional manner.”

Last season, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was charged with conduct unbecoming and fined $20,000 by the AFL for targeting Hawthorn players with verbal taunts after his team’s semi-final win over the Hawks.

On Monday morning Kingsley, while conceding there was no abuse, said what the premiership coach said was “not on”.

“He (McRae) didn’t say anything to be fair. There was no abuse or anything like that from ‘Fly’ at all,” Kingsley told SEN.

“There wasn’t much in it. To be frank I didn’t appreciate some of the cheering directed towards Toby.

“I just felt obliged to say, ‘Don’t do that, that’s not on’. There wasn’t any abuse, let’s be really clear about that.

“It’s been blown up a little bit based on what I’ve been told. I don’t know if there’s a lot in it to be fair.”

Adam Kingsley and Craig McRae are ‘old mates’ having worked together at Richmond. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

After the 52-point loss, McRae played it down as “a bit of fun” between the pair who worked together at Richmond in 2019.

“I was having a bit of fun with him (Kingsley), he’s an old mate of mine,” McRae said.

“I was stirring, I just said, ‘We’re coming’, and he just had a bit of fun.

“He’s a bit more fiery than me. I’m a bit more humorous.

“We’re old colleagues and I was just having a bit of fun with him.”

Originally published as GWS coach Adam Kingsley didn’t appreciate Craig McRae’s actions on the bench on Sunday