How Collingwood landed coach Craig McRae and Michael Voss ended up at Carlton

The Pies’ appointment of Craig McRae in 2021 surprised many, but internally those that were part the process knew he was the perfect fit to lead the Magpie army to where they are now.

An awkward silence followed the clinking of glasses when Collingwood’s coaching sub-committee invited Craig McRae for a beer after a long interview in 2021.

McRae mistakenly thought he was about to be offered the job. Quickly he realised the interview was still going but in a social setting.

This was not going to be a short process. The Magpies had respectfully parted ways with Nathan Buckley in June, granting them three months to appoint his successor.

Initially there were 92 names scribbled on a whiteboard and it took McRae an initial coffee catch-up, three or four presentations – one of them lasting three hours – and a psych profile before he won the job.

Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss and Craig McCrae celebrate winning the 2003 AFL Premiership Cup at the MCG.

The exhaustive process led by football boss Graham Wright, football director Paul Licuria and then-chief executive Mark Anderson might be the most thorough coach search the game has seen.

And Collingwood didn’t just identify its next senior coach – but the next three AFL senior coach appointments, with short-listed candidates Michael Voss taking over at Carlton weeks later and runner-up Adam Kingsley joining Greater Western Sydney one year later.

The other candidate who went deep, West Coast’s Jaymie Graham, had to present virtually due to Covid and is now in charge of Fremantle’s forward line.

Mason Cox and Craig McRae embrace. Picture: Getty Images

THE CRITERIA

The appointment of the low-profile McRae surprised the Magpie masses. But the club’s criteria fitted McRae’s resume like a glove.

“We were looking for someone who was very strong-relationship based, strong tactically, was an educator that developed talents and someone that had been successful both as a player, but importantly then post-career,” Anderson said.

“And certainly ‘Fly’ ticked all of those boxes and was impressive from the first phase.”

Educator? McRae qualified as a secondary school teacher while playing for the Brisbane Lions.

Successful as a player? McRae won three flags at the Lions.

Post-career? McRae was also a part of three premierships as an assistant coach at Richmond.

Developed talents? McRae was Collingwood’s head of development from 2011-15 and coached the VFL Tigers to the 2017 premiership.

Premiership Magpie Luke Ball joined Collingwood’s selection panel when the hunt had been narrowed to four or five candidates. He recounted first-hand how dedicated McRae was to development.

“My vivid memory of ‘Fly’ was over a three or four-month off-season he genuinely taught Mason Cox to kick, just through spending time with him,” Ball said.

“So this is time out of work hours. I remember my first interaction with big Coxy he could barely hit his boot with the ball.

“But ‘Fly’ was instrumental and Jamie Elliott was young and Brodie Grundy was young, they were starting their careers at that time as well.”

Sam Walsh and Michael Voss celebrate a win. Picture: Getty Images

BLUES JOIN SEARCH

Carlton’s messy sacking of David Teague transpired one week before McRae won the Collingwood job.

Like most clubs who enter the market, the Blues didn’t have the luxury of three months to make a decision. For the second time in three years they wanted to interview Voss.

But Voss was entrenched in Port Adelaide’s finals campaign and said he did not have the mental power to apply for a senior job while trying to win a premiership.

It led to a condensed two-week process stacked with conference calls and meetings after Port lost the preliminary final.

Carlton president Luke Sayers and chief executive Brian Cook attended the final interview to ask their own questions.

Again, Kingsley was the bridesmaid while Daniel Giansiracusa (Essendon assistant) and Andrew McQualter (Richmond assistant) were also short-listed.

In effect Collingwood said no to Voss, and Ross Lyon and Alastair Clarkson (twice) said no to Carlton. Then Carlton said yes to Voss.

The Blues were thrilled to bits and last week football boss Brad Lloyd said: “(He is) one of the best things to happen to our footy club, Vossy, with coming in and the leadership he shows.”

The appointment was duly celebrated as two great mates from that champion Lions era were handed the keys to Victorian powerhouses.

Michael Voss’s gameplan has been questioned in recent weeks.

GAMEPLANS

McRae and Voss foreshadowed their gamestyles soon after first pulling on their polos.

McRae noted that in 2021 the Magpies ranked No.1 for disposals and last for inside 50s. It had been a similar story for Hawthorn that season, where McRae was an assistant.

“The reality is you’ve got to get the ball inside 50m to score,” he said.

Bingo. In 2022 the Pies played a chaotic, surge brand of football in which they swarmed forward in intoxicating fashion. There was a lot of the recent Richmond dynasty about its style and it got them within a point of a grand final.

“It was Richmond v Richmond, really, the way ‘Fly’ (Craig McRae) and ‘Leppa’ (Justin Leppitsch) coach,” Tiger Jack Graham said after playing the Pies last year.

After Voss was appointed he said: “It starts at the contest. That is something we have got a thirst to make sure is in a good position. Off the back of that, you need to have a strong defensive framework.”

Last year’s round 23 contest encapsulated it perfectly. The Blues won contested ball by 54, clearances by 14, scores from stoppages by 38 points ... yet lost by a point.

This season the Blues rank No.3 for disposals and No.14 for inside 50s – similar numbers to the 2021 Pies before McRae took charge – because their ball movement has lost an adventurous edge.

McRae has had a flying start to his time at Collingwood as head coach. Picture: Getty Images

GRINNERS AND GROANERS

Anderson was at a function late last year where smiling fans were flying high.

“Without exception, the 50-year members were saying it was the most enjoyable year they can remember,” he said.

“Even including premierships and clearly that’s continuing into 2023.”

It flows from the grass into the stands. The Magpies aren’t afraid to make mistakes – even Brayden Maynard and his teammates laughed after a horror kick-in cost a goal on Anzac Day.

“One of the key things (McRae) mentioned right through the process was about having fun, and everyone‘s seeing that,” Anderson said.

“It's about enjoying each other and creating an environment and he’s done that from day one.

“I remember sitting in the first team meeting with Paul Licuria that he presented to the group and listening to that, how he presented to the group and what his key messages are we walked out of that and went, ‘Yep, that‘s exactly what we thought he’d be’ and that’s carried through over the two seasons.

“Just as a person, starting with the person, he’s a really well-rounded individual. Intelligent, cares about people, has a really strong relationship focus – but importantly, he’s got a really good tactical brain, and he’s really strong in setting clear expectations and holding people to account as well.

“He’s a great person that connects at every level. That's one of his real strengths, he builds relationships and has great connections.

Captain Darcy Moore and McRae. Picture: Getty Images

Voss, like McRae, has been commended for his ability to build relationships. Picture: Getty Images

“From the most experienced players through to year one players he's got an amazing ability to connect at every level and build relationships at every level as well.”

When McRae first met his players he told them he wanted to “get the soil right before we start planting seeds”.

He wanted the change to help breakdown previous barriers. For example, players who were traditionally silent in team meetings had the fresh opportunity to be vocal.

As recruit Dan McStay said: “He just makes everyone feel like they’re the best player in the comp. It really shows with how many guys are in career-best form.”

McRae has carried all of his life lessons into coaching. In 1993 Mark “Choco” Williams gave him a senior debut at Glenelg and told him to make the most of it.

That message stuck with McRae and he now echoes it to Collingwood’s kids.

When Voss was appointed it was laps of Princes Park to get to know his players. They talked about football and life.

“I think him doing that from day one just started to develop those strong relationships,” Sam Walsh said.

“After that walk I thought there’s no wonder why this guy has been touted as one of the best leaders to do it.

“When he speaks it’s got real power and weight behind it.”

But while the Pies – players and fans – are grinning the Blues are groaning. Are they afraid to make mistakes?

McRae took over a club that finished 17th with little expectation while Sayers set a finals pass mark for Voss before he was even appointed.

Yet the Pies’ recent home-and-away record stands at 20-2 while the Blues have won six and a half out of their previous 21 matches.

Last year Voss and McRae bet a nice dinner on who would win their Carlton-Collingwood clash.

“I might go out for a nice meal,” McRae said after the Pies won.

“Maybe a nice steak somewhere and a glass of red would be nice. Unashamedly a mate of mine. I love him to death and want the best for him.”

For Voss and Carlton you feel there’s a lot more than a nice steak at stake on Sunday.

Originally published as How Collingwood landed coach Craig McRae and Michael Voss ended up at Carlton