Collingwood car accident: Pies players in Monash Freeway crash en route to Sydney

Collingwood locked the gates for its final preparation for the preliminary final clash. Here are the latest details.

Secrecy surrounded Collingwood’s preliminary final preparation as the club locked the SCG gates and navigated a challenging travel day after two players were involved in a car crash on their way to Melbourne airport.

Emergency Josh Carmichael, who was the semi-final medi-sub, missed the Magpies’ charter flight to Sydney and their final training session, but eventually checked into the team hotel after about an eight-hour journey from his home in Chadstone.

Carmichael and housemate Beau McCreery were driving along the Monash Freeway bound for the airport when they were involved in a three-car smash near Warrigal Rd that forced two lanes to close on Friday morning.

“I’m all good,” McCreery said as he arrived at the team hotel before training.

Carmichael’s car was towed and while the charter flight was delayed for about 40 minutes for McCreery, who was named in the starting 22, Carmichael stayed at the scene to fill out insurance paperwork.

Beau McCreery in training at the SCG. Picture: Michael Klein

The players were shaken, but no one was injured in the crash.

McCreery took part in the 2.15pm captain’s run at the SCG along with travelling emergencies Nathan Kreuger, Oliver Henry and Callum Brown.

Kreuger is expected to be named the medi-sub on Saturday.

While that session was already due to be closed to the public, the Magpies bunkered down by cancelling assistant coach Hayden Skipworth’s 3pm press conference.

The Magpies cannot hold closed sessions at their Olympic Blvd base due to the open surroundings and so they have embraced welcoming supporters at every session in recent years.

Despite the pilgrimage of about 14,000 members of the Magpie Army to Sydney for their quest to storm into the grand final, only close family members were allowed through security at the SCG.

That included dual Brownlow Medallist Peter Moore, who chatted to son Darcy on the boundary, and Mason Cox’s mother Jeanette Cox.

They travelled from the United States for Saturday’s blockbuster. Chief executive Mark Anderson was also spotted on the SCG.

Sydney was declared the league’s “best kicking team” by former Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron in his Herald Sun column this week.

The accident on the Monash Freeway Friday morning. Picture: VicTraffic/Twitter

Josh Carmichael with the car after the crash. Picture: Channel 7

But Pies coach Craig McRae suggested umpires were being too lenient and allowing them to take “a lot” of marks that travel only 9m.

That radio comment followed McRae’s frustration that his players weren’t rewarded with enough holding the ball free kicks in the qualifying final loss to Geelong.

Magpies football boss Graham Wright declared McCreery and Carmichael would be ready to take on the Swans.

“The welfare of Beau, Josh and the driver of the other vehicle remains the absolute priority,” Wright said.

“Neither Beau nor Josh sustained any injuries and we will provide them with the support required.”

Star defender Jeremy Howe revealed this month that McRae had instructed McCreery his role was to “put the fear of god up opposition” and he has become a fan favourite on the back of his brutal tackling.

Earlier: Pies players involved in car crash

Two Collingwood players have been involved in a car accident on the eve of the club’s blockbuster preliminary final against Sydney Swans.

Pies’ forward Beau McCreery and medi-sub Josh Carmichael were headed to the airport when their car was involved in a collision.

Both players are believed to be shaken by the incident but OK.

Club officials were moving quickly this morning to support the pair.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said the pair were fine.

“The welfare of Beau, Josh and the driver of the other vehicle remains the absolute priority,” Wright said.

“Neither Beau nor Josh sustained any injuries and we will provide them with the support required.”

The pair are certain to fly to Sydney today for tomorrow’s cut throat final.

Two right lanes are closed inbound on the Monash Freeway just after Warrigal Road due to a collision. Emergency services have been called. Speed reduced to 40km/h. Consider using Dandenong Road instead. All lanes remain open outbound. #victrafficpic.twitter.com/vesJqHMxWa

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) September 15, 2022

Collingwood was set to fly to Sydney at 10am this morning.

The Pies have a closed training session at the SCG at 1pm today ahead of Saturday’s 4.45pm clash with the Swans.

Two right lanes of the Monash Freeway were closed after the accident just after Warrigal Road following the collision.

#BREAKING: Collingwood players Beau McCreery and Josh Carmichael have been involved in a car accident on the way to Melbourne Airport ahead of the club’s preliminary final against Sydney on Saturday.

The club says neither of the players sustained any injuries. #AFL#9Newspic.twitter.com/rrZEHFduJd

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) September 15, 2022

Collingwood Football Club statement

The Collingwood Football Club confirms players Beau McCreery and Josh Carmichael have been involved in a car accident earlier today while on their way to the airport to travel to Sydney.

Collingwood General Manager Football Graham Wright said:

“The welfare of Beau, Josh and the driver of the other vehicle remains the absolute priority.

“Neither Beau nor Josh sustained any injuries, and we will provide them with the support required in this situation.”

The Club confirms the players will travel to Sydney ahead of the Preliminary Final match held at the SCG tomorrow.

Originally published as Collingwood car accident: Pies players in Monash Freeway crash en route to Sydney