Collingwood Football Club Blasts False Rumours About Coach's Private Life
Collingwood Football Club has launched a fierce defence of senior coach Craig McRae, describing rumours circulating about his private life as 'completely false and unfair'. The club expressed deep disappointment that McRae felt compelled to address his playing group about the speculation, which emerged following his return from a pre-planned extended period of leave.
Club Leadership Condemns 'Reckless' Speculation
In an official statement, Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly delivered a scathing assessment of the situation. 'We should never be in a situation where a coach feels he needs to address his playing group over online rumours,' Kelly declared. 'Everyone needs to be aware how this reckless and irresponsible speculation can impact people and we are not going to stand for it.'
The club confirmed that McRae's leave had been arranged back in December with full approval from senior leadership and players, including captain Darcy Moore. 'Craig's leave was planned in December last year, and he was always going to return to work when he did, and there was never anything more to it,' Kelly emphasized.
McRae and Wife Dismiss 'Fiction' About Their Marriage
The 52-year-old premiership coach, whose contract extends to 2028, addressed the rumours publicly ahead of the AFL season launch. 'There's a lot of fiction going on out there,' McRae told Channel 9. 'Rumours have been spread about me that are just completely untrue.' He acknowledged the speculation had been 'a bit annoying' but maintained it hadn't troubled him significantly.
McRae's wife Gabrielle also rejected the rumours about their marriage, telling The Herald Sun: 'It's just one of those things. People always tell stories. We just focus on what's real.' The couple married in 2022 and welcomed their daughter Maggie on the morning of the 2023 AFL Grand Final, with McRae leading Collingwood to premiership victory later that same day.
Extended Leave Part of Club's Family-First Culture
McRae explained his extended break was part of Collingwood's supportive culture where staff and players are encouraged to take time off when needed. 'There was nothing untoward around it,' he told the club website. 'It was just about having a bit of extra time off because you go from a prelim final, then you've got the trade period straight away and then before you know it the draft.'
The coach emphasized his desire to spend quality time with his young family, including his three daughters and wife Gabrielle. 'I just crave family time and spending time with my three daughters and wife Gab; you crave that time,' McRae said. 'January just seems perfect because this industry shuts down for a few weeks. You get that time and then take an extra couple of weeks.'
Looking Ahead to the New Season
McRae, now entering his fifth season at Collingwood, explained he wouldn't have taken such extended leave in his earlier years at the club. 'I wouldn't be taking an extended break if this was my first year in charge or my second year,' he reasoned, 'because you haven't built foundations of what you want to do in the building: environmentally, culturally, training standards and coaching.'
The coach reported returning from his break with renewed energy and focus as Collingwood prepare for their season opener against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Club leadership reiterated their full support for McRae, with Kelly stating: 'Since walking into the club, Craig has led the AFL program with authenticity, integrity and strong family-first values and we will continue to support him and his family.'
