McRae, Kingsley talk down bench clash; Magpies pay for missed goals as Giants win

Collingwood coach Craig McCrae has addressed the moment cameras caught him and GWS coach Adam Kingsley exchanging words from the interchange bench at half-time.

On Channel 7, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said it appeared McCrae was yelling out at Bedford for an off the ball free kick against Nick Daicos, to which Kingsley shouted back.

When asked about the exchange after the game, McCrae said it was just a joke.

“I was just stirring him up, I said we’re coming,” said McCrae.

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

That’s all we have for you tonight everyone.

Thanks for joining our coverage today and we will have plenty more coming across the week, so be sure to keep checking in.

It was a great win for the Giants, who are certainly early contenders for the flag.

If you’d like more insight into this game, read this analysis from our chief football writer Jake Niall.

Have a lovely evening.

GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley hopes ruckman Kieren Briggs has escaped injury after he was knocked out in a first quarter marking contest.

Briggs was carried from the ground and taken to Westmead Hospital as a precaution but the Giants later posted a picture of Briggs watching the game on his phone from his hospital bed.

He was wearing a neck brace in the picture and there were initial concerns about a neck injury, Kingsley didn’t know about any neck issue but hopes his big man will OK.

“He’s got a concussion. He was out for a little bit so he will go through the protocols,” Kingsley said post game.

“He’s gone to Westmead Hospital as a precaution but I think he is okay. It was a nasty incident and with concussion, he will miss next week obviously.”

Kingsley said he didn’t see whether Briggs was pushed during the marking contest which led to him being knocked out.“I didn’t see the contest,” Kingsley said.

“I saw [Giants defender] Sam Taylor flying backwards, that was what took my eye. I didn’t see if he was pushed.”

Kingsley praised defender Lachie Keefe for filling in as ruckman and holding his own against Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron.Keefe was sore post game but Kingsley said he may well use the veteran back as his ruckman next game.

“Keefey is feeling that right now and probably will for another day or two, it’s a different skill rucking,” Kingsley said.

“The way Keefey shouldered the load, it was impressive.”

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said poor kicking in front of goal and missed opportunities – especially in the third quarter – punished his team in their 52-point loss to the Giants.

“Inaccurate kicking does hurt,” said McRae, “and it certainly huts when you’re winning inside 50s”.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think we missed seven shots on the run, those are chances you’ve got to take against good opposition.”

Nick Daicos was visibly sore – struggling with cramps in his legs during the second half – but McRae just put it down to the heat, and tried to play his star midfielder in the forward line further away from the ball.

“I just think it was cramp to be honest … it’s 28 degrees out there it’s pretty hot.”

The coach said his team now needs to “lick our wounds” but they’re “excited to get back to our fans get back to the MCG”.

Kane Cornes says the AFL should fine Collingwood coach Craig McRae $20,000 for yelling towards Giants’ tagger Toby Bedford who gave a 50-meter penalty.

“This is Craig McRae having a crack at Toby Bedford after he wasn’t happy with some treatment towards Nick Daicos – the player he was tagging on – and Adam Kingsley responds,” Cornes said on First Up.

“This is off limits, you can’t have a coach going at an opposition player.”

Craig McRae and Adam Kingsley shake hands after the Giants’ beat the Magpies at Engie stadium. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Cornes compared it to Ken Hinkley’s ugly interaction with Hawthorn players after last year’s semi-final but conceded it wasn’t as serious as that incident.

“We can’t have Craig McRae going at an opposition player … so Hinkley got $20,000, I expect the AFL hand exactly the same fine down to Craig McRae.”

Both McRae and Kingsley downplayed the incident after the match.

Kingsley said: “I don’t know if it was that confrontational.”

“We were just having a chat about the game in general. He’s a really good man and a good mate of mine. We were just having a discussion.”

McRae said Kingsley was an old colleague and he was “just stirring”.

Finn Callaghan looked worth every cent of his new contract multi-million dollar contract, racking up 33 disposals and two goals, with over 700 meters gained for the Giants in their dominant opening round win.

Speaking after the game Callaghan said it was great for the team – who suffered two painful losses in the finals last year – to play their style of footy.

“To play our way today … is a great way to start the year,” Callaghan told Channel 7.

“I love this group. I think we can do special things in the next four years so [I’m] really happy to stay here.”

Collingwood coach Craig McCrae has addressed the moment cameras caught him and GWS coach Adam Kingsley exchanging words from the interchange bench at half-time.

On Channel 7, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said it appeared McCrae was yelling out at Bedford for an off the ball free kick against Nick Daicos, to which Kingsley shouted back.

When asked about the exchange after the game, McCrae said it was just a joke.

“I was just stirring him up, I said we’re coming,” said McCrae.

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

One of the most impressive things about the Giants’ 52 point win tonight, is that they did it missing some of their best talent – including Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan, who’s recovering from a thumb injury.

Hogan is still about two-to-three weeks away from playing, after jamming his thumb in the door of the team bus.

Recruit Jake Stringer is expected to miss at least another week with a hamstring strain and a similar timeframe is in place or Tom Green.

Harvey Thomas, Jake Riccardi, Toby McMullin and Joe Fonti are suspended until round three for dressing up inappropriately at the club function. Josh Fahey is suspended until round five for his role in the incident.

Ryan Angwin is estimated to return in five weeks from an ankle injury.

GWS have steamrolled Collingwood at Engie stadium, booting 15. 14 (104) to 6.16 (51) to win their first game of the season.

Josh Kelly (36 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (33 disposals and two goals) lead the way for the Giants, who had five players kick two goals in an impressive team performance.

Finn Callaghan was dominant in the Giants’ win over the Magpies.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Despite an injury to ruckman Kieren Briggs, who went down early with a neck injury, the Giants were too strong for Collingwood, who were inaccurate in front of goal, kicking 16 behinds and just six goals.

Nick Daicos was muted with 21 touches and cramps which hampered his movement.

GWS are showing why they’re widely tipped to be playing deep into September.

Finn Callaghan has run the length of Engie stadium to kick another goal. Max Gruzewski followed suit and booted his second, pushing the Giants past the 100 point mark.

Callaghan has played a splendid game against the Magpies. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Callaghan extended his contract with GWS a few weeks ago after attracting big offers from rival clubs.

He looks worth every penny of his $1.2 million a year deal today.

GWS 103, Collingwood 51.