Collingwood coach Craig McRae says the Magpies are still pursuing better football but was pleased with a “step in the right direction” in the 70-point win over Essendon on Friday night.
The Magpies’ defence tightened significantly to restrict the Bombers to only three goals after coughing up 100 points in each of the previous three games, with the coach lauding his team’s commitment to cleaning up its game.
McRae said Jamie Elliott would be fine after sustaining a corky in the second quarter, while he would not rule Nick Daicos out of the qualifying final but conceded the star playmaker was “up against it”.
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The coach said he was proud to finish on top of the ladder, which he considered a mark of strong resilience after the first ever 24-game season.
“I feel like the hunger within our group has been questionable, and tonight I wouldn’t have thought you could question that part of our game,” he said.
“I still believe our best is in front of us … if you get some parts of your game right can move the ball differently, and you can defend better.
“We’re getting to work on those parts, and then you get to see our expression out of (defensive 50), or we explode and use our numbers – it’s a real weapon of ours.”
McRae added: “We thank our fans for turning up, a record amount of people have come watch us play this year.
“Collingwood fans, we love you so much. A record membership, (I’m) looking down the barrel because we’re going to need you from here on in, I know you can make a difference.”
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He said the Magpies’ defence, which he confirmed would be bolstered by captain Darcy Moore in the first final, had responded well to pressure he had deliberately applied through the media.
“We came here with a clear plan to improve parts of our defence, we’ve said that out loud for everyone to hear, so we can be held accountable to it,” McRae said.
“I felt we did that – 3.13, yeah they missed a few, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
He praised Finlay Macrae’s resilience after the young midfielder earned his first senior game of the season as the sub, revealing he had approved a post-game request from the 21-year-old to play in Collingwood’s VFL final on Sunday despite playing the entire second half.
“I’m really pleased for Fin, what a great story of perseverance. Playing great footy at VFL level waiting for his opportunity,” McRae said.
“I probably communicate with Fin more than anyone on our list, we have a chat nearly every week. I’m really clear where he stands with us, he’s part of our future, some just have to wait a bit longer.
“I thought he contributed tonight … I think he’s going to play in our VFL final on Sunday, he’s that sort of kid, he’s just going to play.
“I said: ‘Yeah OK, if you want to. Go and play and play well,’ because I know he will.”
