Collingwood head coach  Craig McRae is now acting as the New Era Architect of the…

In the ever-evolving landscape of Australian football, Collingwood head coach Craig McRae is now acting as the architect of a new era for the Magpies—ushering in change, unity, and innovation as the club eyes continued success beyond its 2023 premiership triumph.

McRae, affectionately known as “Fly,” has always been more than just a tactician. Under his leadership, Collingwood has adopted a culture-first approach, where values, connection, and purpose are as important as strategy. Now, he’s taking on a fresh layer of responsibility—not just as the team’s coach, but as a mentor, visionary, and guardian of long-term club identity.

Heading into the 2025 season, McRae is redefining player roles to future-proof the side. One of his boldest moves is giving Josh Daicos more time in the midfield—recognizing the versatility and maturity of the young star. “We’d be silly not to explore it,” McRae remarked, highlighting his readiness to evolve tactics in real time based on player development.

Beyond the white lines, McRae continues to nurture the club’s next generation. He’s been working closely with Nick Daicos to develop techniques to manage heavy tagging, drawing from lessons learned from greats like Simon Black. At the same time, he’s fostering a healthy balance between senior leadership and youth, bringing back premiership veterans like Scott Pendlebury, Darcy Moore, and Bobby Hill to steady the ship.

Perhaps most notably, McRae is also navigating the emotional side of the sport with grace. Whether it’s supporting players through injury setbacks or addressing contentious umpiring decisions with calm professionalism, he brings a steadying presence that fans and players alike deeply respect.

In every way, Craig McRae is acting not just as a head coach—but as the soul of Collingwood’s future. He’s building more than a team. He’s building a legacy—one founded on care, innovation, and an unshakable belief in the power of people working together.

As the Magpies soar toward another chapter, one thing is certain: under McRae’s guidance, the best is still to come.