BREAKING NEWS: Collingwood Head Coach Craig McRae Sends Appreciation Gift to Canberra Raiders After Contract Signing Rumors Surface………see more

BREAKING NEWS: Collingwood Head Coach Craig McRae Sends Appreciation Gift to Canberra Raiders After Contract Signing Rumors Surface

In a surprising twist that’s left both AFL and NRL fans scratching their heads, Collingwood Magpies head coach Craig McRae has reportedly sent an “appreciation gift” to the Canberra Raiders, following days of online speculation linking him to the rugby league club.

According to sources close to the Raiders’ front office, a hand-delivered package arrived at GIO Stadium early Thursday morning containing a signed Collingwood guernsey, a box of pastries, and a handwritten note that simply read:

“Appreciate the hospitality — but I’ll stick with the black and white. – Fly.”

Rumors began circulating earlier this week after an unverified social media post suggested that McRae had been approached by Canberra Raiders officials about a potential “cross-code coaching experiment.” The Raiders have neither confirmed nor denied the reports, though a club spokesperson admitted the package “did, in fact, smell strongly of coffee and premiership confidence.”

When asked about the gesture during training, McRae laughed off the rumors.

“I love what the Raiders do, but my playbook doesn’t have many scrums in it,” he joked. “Though, I wouldn’t mind borrowing their tackling drills for next season.”

Collingwood players also got a laugh out of the situation, with captain Darcy Moore reportedly telling reporters, “If Fly ever switches to rugby league, we’ll have to start practicing goal kicks from the try line.”

Fans on social media quickly turned the light-hearted exchange into a meme fest, with one post reading, “McRae to Raiders confirmed — in spirit, not contract.”

While both clubs have since moved to downplay the story, insiders say McRae’s gift may have sparked a new tradition of “cross-code camaraderie” between AFL and NRL teams.

For now, it seems McRae will remain firmly rooted at the AIA Centre — but if the Raiders ever field an AFL side, they might already have their first coaching candidate lined up.

Would you like me to make it sound more like a tabloid-style viral news post (shorter, punchier, for social media), or keep it in this mock-professional sports journalism tone?