Collingwood players call for every player to receive a premiership medal after injured stars miss out

Amid the celebrations at Collingwood HQ, there is ongoing heartbreak for the club favourites who watched from the sidelines. Is it time to change a longstanding tradition?

Beau McCreery and Craig McRae. Picture: Michael Klein

Amid the ongoing celebration at Collingwood HQ on Sunday, the most sombre applause was saved for those who weren’t on the field the day before.

Each of Taylor Adams, Dan McStay and John Noble were presented to the thousands in a black and white after the premiership heroes, as the unlucky trio kept it together despite their heartbreak.

Ruck Mason Cox said he would change the rules “in a heartbeat” to present premiership medals to a wider squad than just the 23 who played on Saturday.

“They were a big reason why we were there, without Dan McStay kicking two goals in the prelim we probably don’t make it (to the grand final),” he said.

“It is frustrating to not see them have a medal around their neck to be honest. I would change it in a heartbeat. Without them we are not in this situation.

“To have that happen (to McStay) in a prelim is f----ing shattering.

Bobby Hill, Jack Crisp and Oleg Markov at Collingwood family day. Picture: Michael Klein

“Guys like John Noble and Tay Adams, it is something you wouldn’t wish on the worst person.

“I don’t know what the ruling would be but it just seems wrong to not have them with a medal.”

The thoughts for those who missed out were just about the only down spots amongst the smiles.

Craig McRae wasn’t lying when he told the Collingwood faithful there were a few “dusty” players when the Magpies assembled at Sunday’s family day.

Some players had hardly had a wink of sleep, with partying still carrying on.

A bus was lined up to whisk players and staff away from Olympic Park at 1.20pm, with Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly refusing to reveal to the Herald Sun where the Magpies were headed.

“We have a lovely group of people and now we have to enjoy the moment and then unfortunately we will be back to work,” he said.

Sunglasses were essential for the weary players and celebrations had kicked on to Jack Ginnivan’s house late after Saturday’s grand final triumph.

Bobby Hill and Nick Daicos on the DJ set. Picture: Michael Klein

The Magpies had powered though a huge night, with antics – including Darcy Cameron demanding the microphone – kicking on at the club’s home base at Olympic Park for several hours.

“Darcy Cameron did a good rendition of Horses with Daryl Braithwaite, which was pretty cool. I’m sure he’ll be telling people about that for years to come,” sub Patrick Lipinski said.

Forward Beau McCreery rolled around during the night with a Bluetooth speaker around his neck while Ginnivan already had his own premiership merchandise ready to go.

Ginnivan’s father Craig was proudly wearing a shirt emblazoned with his son’s picture labelled a premiership player on Sunday.

Fans had stuck around on the oval on Saturday night long after the game finished at the live site.

“I came back here (to the club) and I stuck my head out to check how many were here and they all just went nuts,” Kelly said.

Nick and Josh Daicos with the premiership cup. Picture: Michael Klein

The most special moment for Cox came about two hours after the game finished on Saturday, when the entire squad and staff walked back out to an empty MCG and sung the song.

After that, just the 23 who played on the day had their own huddle, as they talked through their individual paths to the big stage.

“We just got everyone to say about what they have been through in their journey and stuff,” he said.

“Those words will stay between the 23 of us. It is a special moment, knowing it is a lifetime achievement to share together and the 23 of us sharing that together was really cool.”

Kelly had a moment of pause after the match when he shared a celebration with 1990 premiership teammates Peter Daicos and Graham Wright.

“There was Daics, myself and Wrighty and last time we were there was when we won the premiership in 1990, so that was pretty bizarre actually,” he said.

“I have probably enjoyed this more than I did as a player.”

With Mad Monday to come before the week finishes with the Collingwood best-and-fairest on Friday, the party was still really only just getting started for the Magpies.