‘Bit of a headache’: Pies gun’s admission on rival interest and defiant call on future

It’s “always been Collingwood” for Beau McCreery.

The premiership forward says his future is at the Magpies, despite talk of interest from rival clubs earlier this year that he admits he couldn’t block out.

One of Craig McRae’s most important role players, McCreery has overcome a slew of injuries late in the season as he prepares to play in his third preliminary final in four seasons when Collingwood faces Brisbane this Saturday night.

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The Pies sure missed his rare combination of speed, strength and tackling pressure during his stint on the sidelines.

Other teams have clearly taken notice of McCreery’s abilities too after exploring if they can pry the South Australian, contracted until 2027, out of Collingwood.

But the 24-year old still feels indebted to the club that drafted him with the No. 44 pick back in the 2020 draft.

“It’s always been Collingwood for me,” McCreery told foxfooty.com.au.

“They were the only team really keen on drafting me, I think. So I have a bit of loyalty to them for that.

“But I’ve obviously seen (speculation of rival interest), it got sent to me by bloody everyone. So that was a bit of a headache.

“My loyalty has always been with Collingwood and what we have here is so good. I won a flag at a young age, I love every single one of these boys and couldn’t see myself leaving.

“I love being here and I love playing with these boys. I’d be a tough one to leave, that’s for sure.”

McCreery is “very excited” to be back on the prelim stage “knowing how hard we’ve worked to get to this position” and his own personal road back from injury.

He concedes it was tough watching from the sidelines while he battled hamstring and foot issues, which coincided with the team’s drop off late in the season.

“It’s a tough one, I don’t like not playing,” he said.

“I hate watching from the stands and obviously we went through a bit of a slump, so that was obviously a tough watch.

“But I’m just so excited to be back playing footy, I’ve played the last three weeks in a row.

“To get consistent footy under your belt is so important, missing those few weeks definitely hurt. Doing two hammies was frustrating.

“But I stuck to the process and the fitness team helped me. So I’m pretty excited for what’s to come.”

While McCreery is committed to the Pies, veteran forward duo and the club’s leading goalkickers, Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek, are still yet to put pen to paper for 2026.

Elliott and Mihocek’s contract talks have dragged late into the season, with a possibility this finals series is the last time they don the black and white stripes.

But McCreery remains “very” confident his premiership teammates will stick around.

“They’re two of my closest mates, so if they were to go anywhere, I’d be pretty flat,” he said.

“There’s no talk like that between us boys. We all love playing together and love playing for Collingwood. I don’t think they’d be going anywhere.

“Obviously we’ve got a task on the weekend and hopefully in two weeks’ time. I think those boys will stand up and do their thing during those games.”

Though McCreery has built his reputation as a high-octane pressure forward, he’s started to get more midfield exposure with occasional stints on the ball.

It’s opportunities he hopes will continue in a role he feels “dangerous” in as a power athlete with great burst from stoppage, much like teammate Jordan De Goey.

At 24, McCreery is still one of the youngest members of Collingwood’s side, with the club loading up around the current core to try and win another flag.

It includes club champions Scott Pendlebury (37), Steele Sidebottom (34) and Jeremy Howe (35) in their twilight years.

And McCreery admits he still pinches himself getting to play alongside such famous names who have taught him plenty across the journey.

“It’s still so surreal to be playing with those boys,” he added.

“Sometimes in the huddle, I look around and think I don’t know if I deserve to be here. Or looking back at photos and I’m arm in arm with people like ‘Pendles’, ‘Steelo’ and ‘Howie’. I’m still in awe.

“I’ve learned a lot off the boys, just maturity as a bloke, even. I’ve grown up a lot hanging around all these boys.

“As a footballer, they’ve helped me believe in myself. The more I play with these older boys who have played 300-plus games, for them to believe in me instils belief in myself.

“It’s the best feeling you know you have those boys by your side.”