‘Not going to shy away from it’: McRae opens up on Magpies’ big issue after loss to Crows

Collingwood coach Craig McRae admits his forward line has some issues to fix, but he thinks work can be done in the next 12 days before their next match.

The Magpies’ key forwards aren’t in great goal-kicking form, and they only kicked 11 goals in tonight’s loss to Adelaide.

“That’s the reality. We are not getting much out of our keys [key forwards] – that’s real, and I’m not going to shy away from that,” McRae said.

“We’ve got work to do on that. There is a connection breakdown at times. In the second and fourth quarter we kicked nine of our 11 goals. So you say no then – in the last quarter you would say the connection is pretty good.

“We’ve got some work to do forward of the ball.”

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Collingwood coach Craig McRae admits his forward line has some issues to fix, but he thinks work can be done in the next 12 days before their next match.

The Magpies’ key forwards aren’t in great goal-kicking form, and they only kicked 11 goals in tonight’s loss to Adelaide.

“That’s the reality. We are not getting much out of our keys [key forwards] – that’s real, and I’m not going to shy away from that,” McRae said.

“We’ve got work to do on that. There is a connection breakdown at times. In the second and fourth quarter we kicked nine of our 11 goals. So you say no then – in the last quarter you would say the connection is pretty good.

“We’ve got some work to do forward of the ball.”

Crows coach Matthew Nicks didn’t guarantee star playmaker Izak Rankine would be playing next round, but he made it clear where he wouldn’t be playing.

“I can guarantee you he won’t be playing in the SANFL – I hope he is watching,” Nicks told Fox Footy.

“He’s good to go. We are holding him back. He’s been that keen to play since September last year. He’s done everything but hasn’t missed a beat.”

Crows star Riley Thilthorpe isn’t hiding how important this win was for his club as they chase a premiership in 2026.

“It’s huge to start off like that with a great team win,” Thilthorpe told Fox Footy.

“It will lift all the boys and get us ready for round two.”

Thilthorpe also joked that debutant ruckman Lachlan McAndrew had moved into his house two years ago and hadn’t left.

“He wasn’t signed and was going to play SANFL. He meant to stay for two weeks, and he’s been with me for two years. I can’t get rid of him,” Thilthorpe said with a laugh.

The Crows have scored a statement win over Collingwood at the MCG.

It’s a big win for the Crows’ top-four hopes and for their premiership aspirations.

The Crows had a late scare with Jordan Dawson landing awkwardly on his back. He appears to be sore but OK.

Time will tell, but his club has the four points at a ground they haven’t had too much success at in recent times.