Collingwood’s head coach, Craig McRae, has acknowledged that the club might reflect on whether not promptly replacing their football boss, Graham Wright, had an impact on their unsuccessful defense of the premiership title. The Magpies are on the verge of missing the finals, with their hopes hinging on a series of highly improbable outcomes in the final round of the season.
Collingwood currently holds an 11-9 record, placing them just outside the top eight. To secure a spot in the finals, they would need to beat Melbourne by around 100 points while also hoping for a massive defeat for either Carlton or Hawthorn. Additionally, they would need Fremantle to lose to Port Adelaide, making their path to the finals a nearly impossible task.
With the Magpies needing a miracle to progress, former Geelong star Jimmy Bartel suggested that McRae should adopt a highly aggressive strategy in their upcoming match against Melbourne, even advocating for a “disrespectful” approach by overloading the forward line. However, McRae has dismissed the idea of making such drastic changes to their game plan, emphasizing that while Collingwood is an attacking team, they still need to maintain a strong defensive presence.
McRae made it clear that Collingwood will not deviate from their usual game style, which focuses on a balanced approach of attacking while respecting their opponents’ defenses. He noted that Melbourne has a particularly strong defense, and it would be unrealistic to aim for an exceptionally high score against them.
Even though the possibility of making the finals is slim, McRae rejected the notion that Collingwood’s season has been a failure. He pointed out that the team continues to strive for high performance and maintains a winning culture, which includes respecting their past and fostering a supportive environment both on and off the field. According to McRae, while the team may not have achieved all of its goals, they have succeeded in many areas, and he remains proud of their efforts.
As the team prepares for what is likely to be their final game of the season, key forward Dan McStay will not be playing due to soreness, following his recent return from a significant knee injury. In his absence, first-year midfielder Ed Allan, who has been in impressive form in the VFL, may be given the opportunity to step up and contribute in the final match.
In summary, Collingwood’s slim chances of making the finals have led to discussions about their season’s successes and shortcomings. McRae’s focus remains on maintaining the team’s identity and culture, even as they face the reality of missing out on a finals berth.
