The AFL season’s long-awaited return wasn’t quite the spectacle fans had hoped for. Instead of a thrilling opening, the start felt muted, with only two games in Sydney spread over two days due to weather disruptions. However, the biggest talking point wasn’t the footy itself but a brief, fiery exchange between Collingwood coach Craig McRae and GWS coach Adam Kingsley on the sidelines. While some saw it as a storm in a teacup, others—like former player Kane Cornes—suggested McRae should face a hefty fine. But was it really worth all the outrage?
McRae himself downplayed the moment, explaining that he was simply “stirring” his old mate Kingsley and that the interaction was lighthearted. Neither coach, nor the player at the center of it, Toby Bedford, lodged a complaint. Yet, in an era where social media amplifies every minor drama, the moment quickly took on a life of its own. The AFL issued a warning, emphasizing that player-coach interactions should remain professional, but many fans questioned whether the league was over-policing harmless banter. With football coverage evolving to include influencers and viral moments, the question remains: are these off-field spectacles now overshadowing the actual games?
For McRae, however, the real concern isn’t sideline antics—it’s Collingwood’s performance on the field. After an uninspiring opening-round loss, scrutiny has intensified over his decision to prioritize experience over youth in the team’s rebuild. While the club secured seasoned players like Dan Houston, Tim Membrey, and Harry Perryman through trades, critics argue that Collingwood should have focused more on the draft. Their disappointing performance against GWS, where they looked slow and outmatched, has only added to the skepticism.
Veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, once the backbone of the Pies, showed signs of slowing down. Though their stats weren’t disastrous, their impact on the game was noticeably diminished, and they struggled to match the pace of GWS’s younger, hungrier players. Collingwood’s disposal efficiency lagged at 67%, compared to the Giants’ 76.6%, further exposing their sluggishness. With injuries inevitable over the season, McRae now faces a difficult balancing act: can he manage aging stars while still fielding a competitive team?
It’s only Round 1, and Collingwood has time to adjust, but the warning signs are there. McRae took a gamble by keeping his team’s premiership window open rather than rebuilding. Now, he must prove that his strategy can still deliver success. The 2023 flag is history—this season, he must forge a new path forward. If the Pies fail to adapt, they risk going from championship contenders to a team struggling to keep up in an ever-evolving competition.