Collingwood coach Craig McRae addresses playing group after 'annoying' marriage rumours spread online
Updated . First published
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has revealed that he spoke to the playing group to address "annoying" rumours surrounding his marriage that had begun to spread online.
The 52-year-old took extended leave over the Christmas period – long-planned and approved by the club – which fuelled rumours about a marriage breakdown.
McRae addressed the Magpies playing group to clear the air this week, but so widespread was the scuttlebutt that the club itself felt compelled to issue their own statement.
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Collingwood coach Craig McRae and wife Gabrielle McRae address rumours of their split. 9News
McRae and wife Gabrielle were all smiles at the league's season launch on Wednesday evening, where he was also presented life membership of the AFL.
"There's a lot of fiction going on out there," McRae told 9News' Tony Jones.
"Rumours being spread about me which are completely untrue … it's been a bit annoying.
"It's just been lingering around. But we're here to celebrate tonight - I'm being inducted into the life membership of the AFL which I'm really excited about and the season is just about to start."
Gabrielle also brushed off the rumours.
Darcy Moore and Craig McRae celebrating their 2023 grand final win. Getty
"It's just one of those things. People always tell stories … we just focus on what's real," she said.
The couple famously welcomed daughter Maggie just hours before Collingwood clinched the 2023 premiership over the Brisbane Lions.
Speaking to media on Friday morning, McRae admitted he unfortunately needed to address the speculation in front of the Magpies group.
"This is (what's) factual: it was like 10 seconds of a 30-minute meeting, it was just addressing the world we're in," he said.
"There's heroes and villains, wins and losses and we're all caught up in that and we play the game which is kicks, marks and handballs and this is the other game.
"Sometimes the other game tries to get involved in our kicks, marks and handballs and we try to educate our players around that – maybe I was a living example of that."
McRae said he would not pursue those responsible for originating the rumours legally.
"My private life, we're very comfortable my wife and I, and we've never been happier," he said.
"What others write about us, we can't control that, as you can't … I am not a victim, I am here to do my job and how good is it to have the footy back, huh? How good is that."
Craig and Gabrielle McRae at the 2025 Brownlow Medal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
On Wednesday, Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly condemned the "completely false" and "unfair" rumours.
"We should never be in a situation where a coach feels he needs to address his playing group over online rumours," he said in a statement.
"Everyone needs to be aware how this reckless and irresponsible speculation can impact people, and we are not going to stand for it.
"Craig's leave was planned in December last year, and he was always going to return to work when he did and there was never anything more to it.
"Since walking into the club, Craig has led the AFL program with authenticity, integrity and strong family first values, and we will continue to support him and his family."
McRea is heading into his fifth season as Pies head coach, and is contracted to remain at the helm until the end of 2028.
