Collingwood coach Craig McRae reveals the texts from players that made him break down in tears in his car

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has revealed a series of texts from the Magpies playing group left him in tears in his car as they hit a huge early problem in their quest to snare back-to-back AFL premierships.

Following the disappointing defeat at the hands of St Kilda on March 21, McRae was searching for answers with his team sitting at 0-3 and being written off as a chance of winning this year’s flag by some fans and experts. 

McRae messaged each of his players individually to make them aware he backed them 100 per cent – and the collective response was telling.

‘Within about 10, 15 minutes of texting everybody, everybody’s texting me back at the same time, and the level of unconditional love and support this group’s got — man, there were some tears in the car, I’ll give you the tip,’ McRae told SEN Radio.

‘It was nice, and I just wanted to make the players realise that winning is pressure and outcome driven. 

After the defeat by the Saints on March 21, McRae (right) texted every player to say he backed them unconditionally – and was overwhelmed by their replies

Collingwood then responded by beating Brisbane at the Gabba in a grand final replay last start to chalk up their first win of 2024 (Pies ruckman Mason Cox is pictured, middle)

‘The processes of the care, support, and all the layers it takes to be successful — they’re all still there.

‘Understand — and we’ll get these little layers right — but under all adversity, things do start to tear, and we don’t need to tear ourselves apart. The unconditional support is still there and real strong.’

The playing group then beat Brisbane Lions last start at the Gabba in a grand final replay to get their stuttering season back on track.

Collingwood will now face former Magpies star turned Hawk Jack Ginnivan (pictured) on April 7 at Adelaide Oval as part of Gather Round

Attention now turns to Hawthorn on April 7 at Adelaide Oval as part of Gather Round.

Former Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan will be a key figure for the Hawks – and the forward has opened up on why he knew he had to move on in the off-season – despite winning a flag last September.

It followed Ginnivan attending Moonee Valley racecourse the night before the Grand Final at the MCG.

‘Me and my mate went there [track] at 6.30 (pm) and got home at 9.30 (pm), it wasn’t really that big of a deal,’ the 21-year-old told the Tommy Talks podcast.

‘I don’t think it’s a mistake from my behalf, but probably just how people perceived it.

‘Nothing really came of it until ‘Fly’s’ [McRae] press conference [after the Grand Final] – where he told Ginnivan to ‘read the room’….and my exit meeting, that was sort of when I knew I probably should leave.

‘That was a bit eye-opening, that exit meeting.’