AFL Finals 2023: Collingwood coach Craig McRae’s surprising admission during Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame speech

Craig McRae entered enemy territory to accept a place in Brisbane’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday – and he left a few words with Collingwood’s finals rivals.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae entered enemy territory on Wednesday night to accept his place in the Brisbane Lions’ Hall of Fame and with his final few words offered a surprising sentimental send-off to the Magpies’ looming finals rivals.

“If we don’t win it, I hope you do.”

On an evening set aside to celebrate the 2003 premiership-winning team, the modern day Lions were a hot topic within the room as many of the club’s former greats voiced an expectation that the current crop go all the way in September.

Brisbane 2003 premiership teammates Michael Voss (left) and Craig McRae are now coaching against the Lions in this year’s finals series. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Harris Andrews and Jack Payne watched from the back as Mal Michael used his moment at the dais to declare: “The only thing that could top this is if the current team can go all the way this year and win the premiership”.

Leigh Matthews voiced his approval of Chris Fagan’s group and one by one a steady stream of club greats urged this year’s Lions to continue the great legacy laid before them two decades earlier.

Jason Akermanis paused momentarily between riffing on his old teammates and basking in the glory of a five-goal haul in the 2003 decider to urge the 2023 Lions not to take their opportunity for granted.

In classic Aker fashion, he likened kicking a goal on grand final day to the high experienced by a drug addict.

“You can never, ever get it again,” he mused.

“You could play and kick a goal and get this rush and there’s no side effects … when I retired I never, ever got it again.

“It’s the worst thing you ever have to go through, so when you get a chance to live that moment, it’s so awesome.

“If we had a chance to go back again we would, because there’s nothing better. It’s the best, it really is.

“Every little bit of **** you have to put up with, every little bit of hard running – tackles, pain – it’s all worth it, I’m telling you.

“It does (bring back memories). You guys playing, you have no idea.”

Jason Akermanis booted five goals in the 2003 grand final win over Collingwood.

The indelible footprint the three-peat Lions left on the AFL and Queensland footy in particular was seen and felt in full force at the Brisbane Entertainment and Convention Centre.

McRae and his Collingwood assistant Justin Leppitsch sat at a table alongside Geelong head coach Chris Scott and assistant Nigel Lappin, Essendon assistant Blake Caracella and Carlton VFL coach Luke Power.

Inspirational skipper, and current Carlton coach Michael Voss, was in Melbourne supporting his players at the All-Australian awards.

Immortals. pic.twitter.com/LmXVpChc4C

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 30, 2023

Hall of Famer ⭐️@flybags4 was last night inducted into the @brisbanelions Hall of Fame.

Congratulations, Coach! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/JZMT413sW6

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 31, 2023

Simon Black and Jonathan Brown became the fifth and sixth players elevated to legend status within the club’s Hall of Fame and the room hung on every word as the superstar pairing shared their memories of the early 2000s.

Meanwhile Hugh McCluggage and Joe Daniher watched and listened from the crowd. In a few short weeks they hope to write their own grand final story. Perhaps one day they will join Black and Brown as Hall of Fame premiership players.

Once the formal proceedings had ended it was time for the Lions’ premiership heroes of old to let their hair down and revel in each other’s’ company once again – their job long done.

But for Chris Fagan’s men, it meant a hasty exit stage left and short drive home; left to ponder the messages of wisdom, support and expectation from those who paved the way before them.

No pressure, boys.

Originally published as AFL Finals 2023: Collingwood coach Craig McRae’s surprising admission during Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame speech