'We care for Brodie': McRae refuses to target former Pie
Collingwood coach bucks the norm, telling players not to do new Demon 'any wrong'
www.afl.com.auHere’s a concise update based on recent reporting.
Core answer
- In May 2026, Brodie Grundy and Craig McRae publicly acknowledged a brief, light-hearted exchange during a game, with Grundy describing it as “nothing untoward” despite the buzz around the moment. This came from post-match coverage and direct quotes around the SCG clash between Grundy’s Melbourne and his former Collingwood connections. [cite ][cite ]
Background and context
- The exchange occurred in the fourth quarter of a high-tension match between Grundy’s team and Collingwood’s coach Craig McRae, who had coached Grundy during a prior season. The moment drew attention due to their shared history and McRae’s well-known pre-match rituals when facing former players. [cite ][cite ]
- McRae has in the past publicly navigated games against former Magpies players, including using imagery or messages in team addresses to set tone, though this particular 2026 moment was framed by outlets as light and non-confrontational. [cite ]
What this means going forward
- The incident appears to be a minor, intra-game interaction rather than a substantive exchange that would affect coaching decisions or player relations long-term. Coaches often maintain professional boundaries, even when facing former players or teams. [cite ]
If you’d like, I can track any further developments on this specific moment or provide a brief timeline of Grundy-McRae interactions across their overlapping years. Also, I can pull direct quotes or summarize multiple outlets’ takes on this exchange to give a fuller picture.