Collingwood was once the kings of the clutch.
But a “frustrated” Craig McRae has rued the Magpies’ inability to “manage moments” in their fade-out loss to Fremantle in Gather Round.
Collingwood had ascendancy in the contest for the majority of a damp Friday night at Adelaide Oval but struggled to capitalise on its territory dominance, having 16 extra inside 50s in the low scoring, six-point defeat.
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The Magpies coach conceded his side’s failure to seize “critical” moments was costly in an area the most experienced team in the competition is usually so well drilled.
“We didn’t take our chances,” McRae told reporters post-match.
“In a low scoring game and tough conditions. Even just decision making stuff late.
“We’ve traditionally been really good at this thing, managing these moments. We just didn’t manage ours tonight.
“Sometimes you’ve got to live it to go through it to grow. That could be our story, I’m not sure.
“But we just didn’t manage those moments in critical times.”
It included a series of costly misses from Dan McStay and Lachie Schultz close to goal early in the fourth quarter that could’ve consolidated Collingwood’s scoreboard advantage, before it was overran in the dying stages.
McRae defended his players for failing to capitalise on those gettable opportunities, but noted it contributed to his side’s wasteful night.
“I don’t think anyone goes to bed going: ‘You know what, tomorrow I’m going to set a goal — I’m going to miss a goal from 20 metres out in critical moments’,” McRae said.
“Sometimes you have to live through it to grow. Those guys in particular didn’t take their chances, that’s part and parcel with footy, I suppose. You’re paid to do that and you’ve got to get to work on those things.
“The game is not decided by those moments. I don’t want to put that pressure on them, but it does matter, doesn’t it? When you don’t quite execute.”
He added with a smirk: “Talked around in a bit of a circle then trying to protect them, didn’t I?”
McRae lamented Collingwood’s “messy” forward half in an area it needed to “keep evolving.” But he said “the reality is we did enough to win this game”.
“I think everyone could see that, we just didn’t quite grab our chances in tough conditions,” McRae continued.
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And while the Collingwood premiership boss was ultimately left “a bit frustrated,” he was pleased with the way his side responded to a 54-point loss to reigning back-to-back premier Brisbane.
“Last week we didn’t do the jumper proud,” McRae said.
“We had ‘Wakes’ (former Magpie Shane Wakelin) present the jumper to young Angus Anderson in his first game.
“I’ve never worn the jumper, so I can’t speak of it. But he had emotion, what it meant to him to wear the jumper and be part of the Collingwood family.
“It’s important that out players put it on and it represents something.
“For most parts of tonight, I thought we did the jumper proud. We’ve got some work to do, no problems at all. But at least that part of our game, our DNA, if you like, was on show. In tough conditions.”
Anderson shone on debut including registering seven of his 16 disposals in the third quarter and kicking his first goal, adding five marks, six tackles with 482 metres gained in 67 per cent time on ground.
McRae was impressed with the 22-year old South Australian, who was drafted with Pick 57 in last year’s draft.
“Pleasing for him to come in and show everyone what he’s good at,” the Collingwood coach added.
“You can say it pre-game: ‘Watch this guy tackle, watch this guy’s toughness’.
“Well, you’ve got to go do it, first time playing AFL footy. He’s one who wore that jumper with great prude
“Looks like a Collingwood player for a while now, if he keeps playing like that.”
McRae was also full of praise for Billy Frampton, declaring the Pies defensive stopper was “playing as good as I’ve ever seen him play” after he held Josh Treacy goalless for the first time in 2026.
However he observed Nick Daicos was “still sore” and didn’t “quite have the same gait he (normally) does” in his return from a calf injury, with the Pies superstar still racking up 31 disposals, 10 contested.
Meanwhile Jordan De Goey’s (concussion) night came to an abrupt end to continue a rough injury run for the midfielder-forward, who’s set to miss next Thursday’s night clash with arch rival Carlton.
“He’s a bit rusty. Fingers crossed he isn’t too bad and it doesn’t linger around,” McRae said.
“I didn’t see any of it, I just got told he’s out for the game. I’ll need to look at that.”
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