Collingwood sits fourth on the list of free kicks received in 2024

Collingwood coach Craig McRae was lashed by a rival for his post-match outburst about free kicks last Friday and the latest statistics tell a significant tale.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has been cautioned by the AFL. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Only three teams in the AFL have been given more free kicks than Collingwood this season, with the figures emerging as Magpies coach Craig McRae was given an official caution from the AFL for his post-match outburst last Friday night.

McRae earned a rebuke from the league and from Sydney coach John Longmire, who called the premiership-winning mentor’s claim the Swans had a “home ground” advantage from the umpires an “extraordinary admission”.

Amid criticism from others, McRae conceded he took his claims “to a place that I didn’t need to go” and said “I’ve got to take accountability for that”.

But his contrition comes as figures through to the end of round 22 of the season put Collingwood fourth, ahead of 14 other teams, on the list of free kicks awarded this season.

The Magpies have been given 392 frees, ironically the same amount as the Swans, to sit behind only Gold Coast (412), Carlton (403) and the Adelaide Crows (397).

Collingwood has played 17 games in Melbourne, in front of home fans, the exact advantage McRae suggested helped Sydney last Friday night at the SCG, but this time to his team’s detriment as they went down by three points, all but ending their finals hopes.

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Last-placed Richmond has every right to feel hard done by, having been given just 308 frees for the season, an average of just 14 per game, compared with Collingwood’s 18.

The Tigers have also conceded 393 frees, giving first-year coach Adem Yze’s side the biggest free kick differential in the AFL of -85.

It’s a bigger differential than the favourable one enjoyed by Essendon, who has been given the rub of the green the other way, receiving 60 more frees than the Bombers have conceded, to lead all teams.

But while the Magpies have fared well in the frees-for department, McRae’s men have still conceded more frees than they have been given, albeit only just.

Collingwood players have been pinged 397 times this season. Only two teams – Adelaide (408) and North Melbourne (401) – have given away more free kicks in 2024.

McRae was called by the AFL on Monday and given his caution after labelling two late deliberate out-of-bounds calls at the SCG a “circus”.

“There was a lot of deliberate tonight too. That was a bit of a circus, so I’m sure they’ll (the AFL) come out and justify that too,” he said.

But while the AFL made contact with McRae, there was no clarification on the rulings from the umpires that so upset the coach.

TOP FIVE FREE KICKS FOR IN 2024

412 – Gold Coast Suns

403 – Carlton

397 – Adelaide Crows

392 – Collingwood, Sydney Swans