The full video version of the powerful episode of the Empowering Leaders podcast with Craig McRae, who takes us on his journey to becoming Senior Coach of the 2023 AFL Premiership winning Collingwood Football Club.
Throughout this conversation, you’ll gain a deep insight into Fly’s leadership approach – he’s values-based, he empowers players and staff and he reveres collaboration.
You’ll hear him talk about being drafted to the Brisbane Lions in 1994 and winning three back to back Premierships before entering an 18-year coaching apprenticeship that led to him being appointed Collingwood coach in 2022.
A bit of a ‘cheeky’ coach, Fly, as he’s affectionately known, swears by keeping things fun and relaxed on game day, putting family first and always supporting players through their mistakes.
It’s a privilege to listen to and learn from this man, and, of course, to get the full story about his newborn baby, Maggie, gracing the world with her presence at 7:45am on the day Craig and his team won the 2023 AFL Grand Final!
A big thank you to Collingwood Football Club and their supporters for the fantastic images you see in this video!
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20 Comments
Also Luke well interviewed lots of listening rather than interrupting
Great interview
Best thing to happen at Collingwood getting Fly in.
I haven't stopped smiling. Thanks for this great interview.
Only 5% of babies are born on their due date
Fly is pretty bloody inspirational. Some of his one liners and mottos are extremely profound. We could all live by his mantra. What a human, reflected in his 44 boys! Go Pies
There is just NO NEGATIVE in anything about Fly. It is a unique style of coaching, leadership and being human. The key is WE ARE WINNERS, not just in football, but in their lives. That is how you build a complete environment to bring out the best in everyone. Not just the players. This is what inclusiveness really looks like. Not the rhetoric of a narrative or an agenda. IN LIFE WE ARE WINNERS…… Go Pies 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍
Luke Darcy loves the way Craig McRae goes about it. And what he brings to the table. He's a genuine superstar of the competition. One of the absolute best in the business. Extraordinary coach.
I am so glad Collingwood selected Fly as our coach, at the time I was hoping they would go for Alistair Clarkson or Ross Lyon. But to Collingwood's credit they selected an unkown coach and boy have we been rewarded with a coach who is different but inspiring. I am 73 and I reckon I would love to pull on the boots and play for him he is that inspiring. Go Graig and Go Pies……..
I hope Ross Lyon views this interview.
The Great Tom Brady once privately remarked the following powerful quote…
"The Bigger the Game, The Calmer I get."
This is the kind of attitude and disposition McRae and Collingwood have adopted and is what sets them apart from previous Collingwood sides, and is now what truly sets them up to go on and build a Dynasty in AFL History.
Lol the pressure that the Collingwood managment apply is wild. loosing 3 games in a row and the board say this better not continue. FUCK mate give it time lol! We not gonna win every game and go on an undefeated season.
What an insightful podcast loved every minute 😊
Being humble and powerful; winning combination – Congratulations to all of them
Great interviewer !
Gone are the days of hard nut coaches that punch walls, throw chairs, abuse players and spit the dummy. This man, Craig McCrae has truely revolutionised coaching. This is truely awesome. I have a strong suspicion there will be more to come. Go Pies.
Fabulous interview, Fly is such a beautiful human…. 🖤🤍
At last! Footballers and coaches not ashamed of having a brain and valuing their interpersonal skills. This could be the start of a dangerous trend. Great stuff …. thank goodness the 21st century has finally arrived at least at one level of the AFL. The mercantile AFL mandarins might benefit from a bit of 'values-based leadership'. Well done Fly and Darce – intelligent discussion
Fly's approach reminds me of Barty's mind coach – process driven, winning mind set, growth approach, etc.. Have they communicated?
Great interview enjoyed every minute 👍