‘Not one word’: Collingwood coach torn to shreds over glaring omission
Veteran AFL journo Caroline Wilson has slammed Collingwood coach Craig McRae for a glaring omission and a ‘me, me, me’ attitude.
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Veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson has criticised Collingwood coach Craig McRae for a glaring omission in a “me, me, me” post-match press conference.
The Magpies have started the season 0-3, with losses to GWS, Sydney and St Kilda leaving their premiership defence in tatters.
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Speaking on Footy Classified on Monday night, Wilson took particular issue with the fact McRae didn’t praise St Kilda once in his post-game press conference after his side lost to the Saints by 15 points.
“Craig McRae’s media performance after Collingwood’s loss on Thursday night reflected a ‘me, me, me’ mentality that has permeated that football club as it continues to celebrate that brilliant premiership
“McRae, who’s always been so impressive publicly, achieved something you don’t often witness from a losing coach.
“I’m not sure I can remember the last time I sore a losing coach speak for more than 12 minutes and not pay one word of credit to the opposition.
“In fact, if there hadn’t been questions about (Jack) Higgins’ goal and the lead up of the two teams going into the game, you would have been forgiven for thinking Collingwood was playing itself. Perhaps there’s something in that.
“For the record, St Kilda won the game and perhaps applied some pressure that led to those Collingwood mistakes.
“There’s self reflection and there’s sportsmanship.”
Watch Caro’s criticism of Craig McRae in the video player above.
St Kilda have not won a premiership since 1966, the longest drought of any club in the AFL.
Wilson’s co-hosts said it was understandable reporters were more interested in McRae’s thoughts on where it had gone wrong for the Magpies in the start to the season.
Craig Hutchison said Wilson’s view of the press conference was “harsh” on McRae.
“The questions he was asked were all about their performance,” Hutchison said.
Kane Cornes added: “He definitely should have paid tribute to the opposition.
“But we criticise coaches when they blame the players. He’s gone ‘the blame’s on me, what can I do better’.”
“There are ways you can interrupt and say, ‘Full credit to St Kilda, they did this’,” Wilson replied.
“There’s a malaise at Collingwood he’s somehow caught wind of.
“It was great and it was honest. But at one point you had to say full credit to St Kilda — what they did or the pressure they applied or something.
“Believe me. I watched the whole 12 minutes. Not one mention (of St Kilda).”
Collingwood, one of seven winless teams, take on Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night in a blockbuster must win clash between last year’s grand finalists.
The Lions are also desperate for a win after losing their opening two matches including a one-point loss to Carlton that ended their 26-game winning streak at the Gabba.
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley has challenged young gun Nick Daicos to stick his tackles after several lacklustre defensive efforts against St Kilda.
“The challenge I would put to him is his tackle efficiency. He was tackling at 65 per cent last year, he’s tackling under 50 (per cent) this year,” Buckley told SEN on Monday.
“So when you get your chance to tackle, you’ve got to stick (those tackles). That might be one of the little things that Craig McRae is talking about that turns into big things.
“I’ve seen and heard questions about his buy-in to the defensive elements of the game. I would encourage anyone who watches the game – watch his third, fourth, fifth efforts to go and put pressure on the opposition.”
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