Collingwood coach Craig McRae has publicly confronted "annoying" and "false" speculation regarding his marriage and a potential move to rival club Carlton. McRae, who recently addressed his playing group about these rumors, stated, "There's a lot of fiction going on out there." The club's chief executive, Craig Kelly, has strongly condemned the online gossip, labeling it "completely false and unfair" and "reckless and irresponsible," particularly given its impact on McRae and his family.
McRae personally clarified the rumors to his team, while the club issued a statement to counter the persistent online narratives. The speculation appears to have stemmed from McRae's planned extended break over the summer. He explained this break was necessary due to the demanding cycle of the AFL season, which leaves little downtime between major events like grand finals, trade periods, and pre-season training.
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McRae also dismissed reports of being approached by an unnamed figure from Carlton to replace current coach Michael Voss, stating, "doesn't make sense to me." He noted that his "best mate" Voss is the coach there, further questioning the logic of such a rumor. The club had signed McRae to a two-year contract extension in December, keeping him at the Magpies until the end of 2028. McRae and his wife, Gabrielle, were seen together at the league's season launch, where he was also recognized with AFL life membership. The team is set to commence their season against St Kilda at the MCG.