AFL 2025: Collingwood coach Craig McRae apologises for boundary clash

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has apologised for his boundary line incident in Opening Round, conceding he needs to be a better role model.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae admits he overstepped during his boundary line clash in Opening Round, saying “it’s time to be a good role model”.

McRae was warned by the AFL but ultimately cleared of any sanction for his altercation with GWS tagger Toby Bedford and then coach Adam Kingsley.

While referencing his cheeky nature and relationship with Kingsley, McRae understands how it looks from afar.

“I have got a great relationship with Kingers so I have a bit of banter with Kingers, but then I realise really quickly, particularly when my wife tells me the next day, you can’t do that Craig,” he said.

“I understand it’s not what we want in the AFL or for young coaches aspiring to be more than that. Sometimes I get a bit too cheeky and I apologise for that.

“I don’t think it’s good for the game, my little girl plays for Williamstown under-10s and if her coach was doing that to the other under-10s I would be like ‘come on, mate, what are you doing?’

“I can be cheeky to him (Kingsley) during the week but I have got a responsibility to the game.”

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has apologised for his boundary line clash with Toby Bedford and then Adam Kingsley. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McRae and Kingsley both shrugged off the incident post game before Melbourne skipper Max Gawn said the Collingwood premiership coach “has form” in this space.

Gawn linked back to when former Melbourne midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen was spoken to by McRae when tagging Magpies star Nick Daicos like Bedford was on Sunday.

McRae said he would always protect his playing group but “needs to be better”.

“I love to protect our players, but there’s a level there, isn’t there? The role model I want to be, I stand here with great values and morals and I want to represent us and our players really, really well,” he said.

“There will be a time in my life where I won’t be doing this, so I have got an opportunity for a broader reach.

“Laura (Kane) and I spoke about that. I said, ‘I know I stepped over but in the context it was just two mates with great respect for each other’, but again I understand my stance in the game needs to be better than that.

“I take responsibility for all my actions and it’s time to be a good role model.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Collingwood coach Craig McRae apologises for boundary clash