Welcome to Collingwood, Coach Craig McRae

[BazBoy]

His presser today he was cool and controlled the interview

Never got flustered—when asked how he likes the job he was so passionate
and infectious

[BazBoy]

Bet ya sweet bippy Fly would be watching this

The Dee style is fast and with minimum cross field chipping

[BazBoy]

On Episode 4 of The Grind he made this comment

“Are we the finished product—No ,but we will get better “

Seems he is not getting ahead of himself

[Pies4shaw]

I find myself, in the manner of an Arsenal fan from the 1970s, screaming "One-Nil, One-Nil, One-Nil, One-Nil".

[swoop42]

Our best 22 may well not be good enough to beat the best teams this season but that was never the big picture for us in 2022 was it?

What I and I expect many of you just want to see in 2022 is evidence of change under McRae, a distinct new style we hopefully could be excited with and one the players would seemingly be happy to embrace.

If tonight's game was an accurate description of how we wish to play in 2022 and the bare bones of a game plan that will be developed over time then I feel McRae is off to a very promising start.

No doubt we'll lose games this season to teams no better than the Saints, we might snag a couple against better sides but if this is our starting point, our baseline to build upon as our young players gain experience and new faces are added in coming seasons then I feel a sense of renewed hope after witnessing tonight's game.

Only one game I know but it felt like the breath of fresh air our club, players and supporters needed.

[RudeBoy]

Tru dat Swoop.

[duggieboy]

Yes good comments Swoop, totally agree.

It strikes me with McRae's unfolding gameplan, that we could well have had a lack of belief with the old sideways & backwards strategy, that never actually released the potential of what we could be.

Yes there were times when it worked, but this has so much more going for it.

I LOVE that McRae seems unafraid of just "having a go" with our attacking mindset.

Also as a fan, it's so much more watchable & enjoyable, knowing our pies are always going to give it a go. I can imagine the players just loving the "new broom in the place."

For McRae to say of DeGoey he's seeing a fine human being, and he won't be judging him on past things, imagine what that would do for anyone's self belief.

For me, THAT is a great coach, right there.

This team may well exceed expectations this year. It'll be fun to watch the progress

[MJ23]

[think positive]

[Lazza]

We need to support this young team when the inevitable losses accumulate and realise that our rise is gradual, not on a yo yo type movement. Historically Nick’s hasn’t been a great and supportive/understanding environment when we lose and I can’t see this behaviour suddenly changing. I hope for the development of the team be the top priority this season.

[Pies4shaw]

At the moment, he has a record the equal of any Collingwood coach, ever, at 100% after 2 games. The only other coach to maintain that record after such a lengthy tenure was Ron Richards (who coached them to a fantastic win in John Greening's return game, took 6 weeks off and came back to help the 'pies overcome Footscray at the Western Oval).

Will McRae walk - and take the holiday at Hamilton Island that is on offer - or will he come back, like Barry Jones, to try to make it 3 in a row against a new contestant?

[Pies4shaw]

[What'sinaname]

[think positive]

[PyreneesPie]