In the wake of Collingwood’s heartbreaking preliminary final loss, Magpies head coach Craig McRae fronted the media to discuss the team’s performance, what went wrong, and how the club plans to respond after falling short of a second straight Grand Final appearance.
The reigning premiers were outplayed in a high-intensity clash, ultimately going down by 19 points to a determined opponent who exposed key vulnerabilities in Collingwood’s game plan.
Speaking post-match at the MCG, McRae didn’t shy away from the disappointment.
“We just didn’t execute when it mattered,” McRae said. “Credit to the opposition — they came out with a plan, brought the pressure, and we weren’t good enough to respond consistently.”
Key Moments That Turned the Game
McRae pointed to a sluggish second quarter as a turning point, where Collingwood was outscored 6.2 to 1.3, allowing momentum to swing firmly against them.
“That patch really hurt us,” he admitted. “We lost our structure behind the ball and stopped moving it with the purpose we’ve trained all year. In finals footy, you just can’t afford lapses like that.”
Despite a late push in the fourth quarter, including a pair of quick goals from Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos, the Magpies couldn’t claw back the deficit.
Injuries and Selection Questions
The absence of key midfielder Tom Mitchell raised eyebrows ahead of the match, and McRae acknowledged that selection decisions will always be scrutinised in hindsight.
“We backed in the 22 we thought gave us the best chance. It’s never easy. There are always guys who miss out. Tom wasn’t quite right, and we couldn’t take the risk.”
Several players, including Darcy Moore and Scott Pendlebury, were seen battling through obvious physical fatigue in the final quarter, highlighting the toll of a long season.
Looking Ahead: “This Group Isn’t Done”
Despite the sting of the loss, McRae remained defiant about the future.
“This hurts — of course it does. But this group isn’t done. We’ve got youth, we’ve got hunger, and we’ve got lessons from this we’ll carry into next year.”
With young stars like Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, and Isaac Quaynor continuing to grow in influence, the Magpies appear well-placed to contend again in 2026 — but McRae stressed that nothing would come automatically.
“You don’t get gifted another shot. We’ll review this, reset, and get back to work. That’s what this club does.”
Fan Support and Final Words
McRae closed his press conference with a message to the fans:
“To the Collingwood Army — thank you. You showed up all year, in numbers, in voice, and in passion. We’re sorry we couldn’t deliver another Grand Final, but we’ll be back.”
The loss marks the end of a rollercoaster season for Collingwood, who entered the finals as minor premiers but fell one win short of a chance to defend their 2023 premiership crown.
Let me know if you’d like a more emotional or analytical version, or something tailored for a specific platform like a club website or newspaper.
