JUST IN: Craig McRae Collingwood Football Headcoach responds to accusation of planning to dump team. I’ve never said any, except for.

In a heated press conference following Collingwood’s narrow loss to Sydney in the AFL Preliminary Final last weekend, Magpies head coach Craig McRae wasted no time addressing swirling rumors that have gripped the footy world. Accusations surfaced online and in tabloid reports claiming McRae was plotting a dramatic “dump” of underperforming players ahead of the 2026 season—a move that could see up to a dozen veterans and fringe players shown the door in a bid to rebuild around the club’s young core. McRae, known for his passionate and no-nonsense style, shot down the speculation with characteristic fire.

“I’ve never said any such thing—except for that one time,” McRae declared, drawing chuckles from the gathered media before launching into a measured defense of his leadership. The cryptic “except for” line appeared to reference a candid off-the-record comment from earlier in the season, where McRae reportedly told club insiders that “tough love means tough decisions,” in the wake of a mid-season slump. That remark, leaked amid Collingwood’s inconsistent form, has since been twisted into fuel for the fire of discontent among fans and pundits.

The controversy erupted just days after Collingwood’s heartbreaking elimination, with anonymous sources—allegedly from rival clubs—claiming McRae had privately expressed frustration with the list management and was pushing for a “clean sweep” to inject fresh blood. Social media lit up with hashtags like #McRaeMutiny and #PiesPurge, as supporters debated whether the premiership coach from 2023 was losing faith in the group that took the club to within a kick of another flag this year.

McRae, who steered Collingwood from the doldrums of 17th place in 2021 to a drought-breaking 16th premiership in 2023, pulled no punches in his rebuttal. “Look, we’ve had our ups and downs this year—nobody’s denying that. We started hot, hit the wall in the middle, and fought like hell to get back into finals. But talking about dumping the team? That’s not me, and it’s not us. This group’s got heart, grit, and unfinished business. Sure, we’ll review the list like every club does, but it’s about evolution, not revolution.”

Club captain Scott Pendlebury, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his coach, echoed the sentiment. “Craig’s the best we’ve had in years. He’s built belief in this playing group, and yeah, we’ve got some hard conversations coming up in the trade period. But dumping? That’s media spin. We’re in this together.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Collingwood, who are already grappling with contract uncertainties for key players like Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott, both of whom have been linked to interstate moves. Insiders suggest the rumors may stem from a broader narrative of instability at the club, including whispers of boardroom tensions over recruitment strategy. McRae’s “except for” quip has only added intrigue—did he mean a specific player meeting where he challenged the squad to “step up or step aside,” or was it a nod to his infamous post-game spray after a Round 19 loss to Fremantle?

### A Season of Highs, Lows, and Lingering Questions

McRae’s tenure has been nothing short of transformative. Appointed in September 2021 after Nathan Buckley’s mid-season exit, the former Brisbane Lions premiership player turned assistant coach injected a high-octane, connection-driven philosophy into the Magpies. His first year ended in a Preliminary Final heartbreak, but 2023 delivered glory: a nail-biting four-point Grand Final win over Brisbane, Collingwood’s first flag in 13 years.

2025, however, has been a rollercoaster. The Pies stormed to a top-four finish early on, buoyed by breakout seasons from Nick Daicos and Will Hoskin-Elliott. But injuries to ruckman Darcy Cameron and defensive lapses saw them slip to seventh by the finals, scraping into September with a do-or-die win over Essendon. Their elimination at the hands of the Swans— a 12-point defeat marred by controversial umpiring decisions—left fans questioning if the magic had faded.

McRae has faced his share of off-field scrutiny too. Earlier this year, he sparked debate with comments on Brownlow Medal voting, suggesting tweaks to ensure fairness for players like Daicos. And in August, he admitted to “selfish” remarks about home-ground umpiring bias after a fiery win over North Melbourne. Yet, McRae’s authenticity—coupled with powerful off-field advocacy, like his impassioned speech against gender-based violence in May—has endeared him to many.

### What’s Next for the Magpies?

As the trade period heats up, all eyes are on Collingwood’s list management. Recent reports indicate interest in Sydney’s James Rowbottom, a versatile midfielder who could shore up the engine room. McRae confirmed chats with the 26-year-old, calling it a “curveball” opportunity rather than a panic buy. “We’re not ripping it up; we’re building smart,” he said.

For now, McRae’s denial seems to have quelled the immediate storm, but the “except for” caveat lingers like an unresolved set shot. Will it come back to bite him, or was it just classic McRae—blunt, humorous, and unapologetically human? One thing’s clear: in the cutthroat world of AFL coaching, loyalty is currency, and Craig McRae’s just made a bold deposit.