Why Collingwood coach Craig McRae is REFUSING to wear his premiership medal after the Magpies’ grand final triumph

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has revealed why he will not wear his premiership medal and backed calls for medals to be awarded to winning club players who do not make it to the final.

Debate has raged since the Magpies’ epic four-point win over the Brisbane Lions last Saturday over how to recognize the players who missed out.

McRae believes that every player who has played at some point during the season should be recognized.

‘My view is I think they should get a medal,’ McRae told Fox Footy.

‘To what length, I’m not sure. I’ll leave others to debate that.

‘But I think if you’ve played a game, particularly, in the season – I think that should be a measure of it.

‘Dan McStay, Taylor Adams, John Noble … that cup’s not there without those guys.’

McRae was awarded the Jock McHale Medal as the premiership coach and believes assistant coaches should also be recognised.

‘They gave it to me on stage and I haven’t worn it since because it doesn’t represent all of our coaches,’ McRae said.

It comes after Collingwood stalwart Taylor Adams and key forward Daniel McStay were ruled out through injury and John Noble was overlooked at selection.

Noble played all 23 home-and-away games but was left out of the team for the finals series.

As it stands, only those who play in the winning team on grand final day – plus the senior coach – receive a medal.

Magpies ruck-forward Mason Cox has been particularly strong in his belief that the entire playing squad should be awarded medals.

Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly confirmed on Monday the club was looking to honor the players, coaches and staff who played a role in the premiership.

McRae revealed earlier this week that he had planned not to tell anyone about the birth of his baby girl on the big finals day – but the excitement of Collingwood’s dramatic win got the Magpies coach revealed his incredible news to the football community as he lifted the trophy. Prime Minister’s Cup.

“Today has been the happiest day of my life because my wife gave birth to a daughter at 7 am this morning:
45”, he said on stage at the MCG.

“So honey, I’ll come home with the cup tonight – I love you!”

McRae said he did not plan on telling the public about the baby news, and that his wife was taken aback by his revelation.

‘I’ve got to say this, I’m a private guy,’ McRae said. ‘My wife and I are really private.

‘This is how private we are, I said ‘I’m not telling anybody we’ve had the baby’ and then I started to go ‘ah, maybe I’ll tell the players’ and then there’s footage of me going a bit silly in the rooms.

‘Then after the game I told the world! She goes ‘what happened?’ I don’t know, it was just the euphoria of it all.’

It was the Magpies’ 16th AFL/VFL premiership, drawing them level with old rivals Carlton and Essendon at the top of the tree.