AFL grand final: Pies coach Craig McRae reveals birth of child on stage after grand final win

Craig McRae has forged an incredible football story in his time at the Pies, but it all culminated in a stunning reveal that his wife had welcomed a new family member on grand final day.

Craig McRae and family. Picture: Getty Images

Craig McRae’s grand final day started with a 5.45am phone call and ended with a new daughter and a premiership cup.

When McRae’s wife Gabrielle – who was due to give birth on Saturday - revealed on Friday night that she wasn’t feeling well, she gave little away and headed to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne with her sister to allow the Collingwood coach some sleep before the biggest day of his life.

Little did he know, it was about to get much, much bigger.

His phone rang just before 6am, with Gabrielle declaring “you better get to the hospital, this baby’s coming”.

“She had a baby at 7.45am, she’s in the hospital now so darling, I love you very much,”

Collingwood coach Craig McRae gets the mike-drop moment announcing his wife gave birth on Grand Final morning to their first child together. Which AFL coach will ever top that moment on the victory dais? #AFLGF

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) September 30, 2023

McRae said post-game, almost brought to tears.

“We called her Maggie, a little girl, Maggie.

“My wife’s incredible, she went into labour yesterday (Friday) afternoon, she didn’t tell me.

“She said she wasn’t feeling well.

“I went to bed last night thinking everything’s fine, then get a phone call this morning about quarter to six saying ‘you better get to the hospital, this baby’s coming’.

“Amazing day. It’s already the best day of my lifebut things just gota little bit better.”

McRae, who already has two daughters Charlie and Chelsea – might be a “girl dad” at home but calls his Magpies players, many of whom are now flag winners, his 44 sons.

So frazzled was he that he displayed a photo of Maggie in the pre-game meeting and told the players “it’s a boy” before realising his confusion.

In a further twist, McRae revealed in the rooms after the game that he had grabbed two right shoes as he prepared to get to the hospital in the dark, forced to buy a new pair on the way to the MCG.

It’s been a special day for Craig McRae. Picture: Getty Images

But after the most emotional day of his 50 years – a milestone notched last Friday in Collingwood’s preliminary final win – McRae said he couldn’t differentiate between his two titles as proud dad and premiership coach.

“They’re so different. I’m going to be a dad for the rest of my life. Well, maybe a premiership coach now, too,” he laughed.

“This is a moment in time in my life coaching Collingwood and I’m so grateful for it but my purpose in life is to be a father and be a great husband, so that’s where I’m going to live in my space.

“The tears (were) flowing this morning at quarter to eight and my wife’s been remarkable. She went into labour and went into hospital with her sister without me, and let me sleep in. I had no idea what was going on. She’s just so amazing. You’re going to make me cry. I’m just so proud of her.”

As post-victory celebrations swung into gear, McRae said he had a special stop already penciled firmly in.

“I’m going to steal that cup and I’m going to get a photo with my gorgeous little girl Maggie and my wife and the cup,” he beamed.

Originally published as AFL grand final: Pies coach Craig McRae reveals birth of child on stage after grand final win