Mick Malthouse slams Collingwood coach’s divisive act: ‘You’re just baiting’

Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse took issue with this reaction from current Magpies leader Craig McRae on the sidelines.

Mick Malthouse took issue with Craig McRae's celebration. Pictures: Getty

Mick Malthouse has taken issue with Craig McRae’s exuberant celebration of a Jack Ginnivan free kick in a bit of friendly fire between Collingwood coaches.

Malthouse, who led the Magpies from 2000 to 2011, winning one premiership but also losing two grand finals to McRae’s Brisbane Lions, didn’t like what he saw from McRae on the sidelines as Collingwood secured the minor premiership with a 70-point win against Essendon on Friday night.

The moment occurred in the third quarter with the Magpies leading by 10 goals. Ginnivan was tackled high by Mason Redman and awarded a free kick, prompting McRae to raise both fists in the air.

“I’m not sure about the coach on the bench doing that,” Malthouse said. “You’re just baiting your player up.

“Let the players play with their emotions, but that there to me all it does is signify that you think he doesn’t get enough frees.”

Craig McRae's reaction to Jack Ginnivan getting a high free kick 😂#AFLDonsPiespic.twitter.com/SD4B32c7Ro

— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 25, 2023

McRae was likely remembering the free kick that was famously not given when Redman tackled Ginnivan around the neck last season.

It led to widespread outrage the Magpies youngster was being discriminated against and saw McRae told by Essendon great Matthew Lloyd and current St Kilda coach Ross Lyon to do more to defend his player publicly.

Jack Ginnivan is tackled by Mason Redman. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Ginnivan drops to his knees as Redman clings to his neck. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

It seems like McRae is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t, but the criticism will mean little after the Pies finished in top spot at the end of the minor round for the first time since Malthouse’s last season.

Collingwood put a listless Essendon to the sword with a blistering first half and survived the match with no fresh injury concerns.

Jamie Elliott was subbed out after his two-goal first half but the Magpies were not concerned after a corky for the star forward, while Collingwood’s midfield and defence looked their best for more than a month in a welcome return to form.

Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos all produced powerful and confident performances as the Magpies rediscovered their best ball movement, and they adjusted the tempo of the game at will, particularly in an eight-goal first quarter where Essendon barely entered its forward line.

It was the best quarter of Ginnivan’s career as he amassed nine disposals, two tackles and two goals as he cemented his status as a best 22 player for the Magpies.

After almost two months out of the team he has played the past three weeks and McRae hailed his determination.

“I strongly believe it came down to his training standards. There was a real shift,” he said.

Jack Ginnivan celebrates a goal. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“At VFL he wasn’t playing above the level – and then he got busy with his training. For a month there he was our best trainer and (had) a real intensity to what he was doing. And he wasn’t getting rewarded for it but he just stuck at it and then the opportunity presented and on nights like tonight he shows what he’s capable of.”

But with Beau McCreery returning from suspension in the qualifying final, a tough decision looms for McRae.

Ginnivan, McCreery and Bobby Hill have only started in the same side on six occasions this season, most recently in round 12 against West Coast.

Malthouse said on the ABC he thought only one of Ginnivan and Hill could play and the other be used as the sub in finals.

– with NCA NewsWire’s Edward Bourke

Originally published as Mick Malthouse slams Collingwood coach’s divisive act: ‘You’re just baiting’