Introduction
Craig McRae (born 22 September 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer.
Originally from South Australian National Football League club Glenelg, McRae was drafted by AFL club Brisbane as the 22nd pick in the 1994 draft and had an immediate impact, kicking two goals in his first game in 1995, and played every game of that year. McRae was renowned for his ability to kick goals from not only beyond the fifty metre line, but also for his scouting of the ball spilled from the hands of taller players.
McRae was known for his determination and fierce tackling. The respected small forward/goalsneak retired from professional football after the 2004 Grand Final loss to Port Adelaide, which included playing in Brisbane's 2001, 2002 and 2003 premierships.
McRae also served as the Development Manager of the Collingwood Football Club.
On 15 October 2015 McRae departed Collingwood after five years at the club.
Statistics
| Legend | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Season | Team | # | Games | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | Averages (per game) | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Brisbane Bears | 4 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 231 | 113 | 344 | 47 | 38 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 4.9 | 15.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 |
| 1996 | Brisbane Bears | 4 | 16 | 28 | 19 | 181 | 49 | 230 | 38 | 18 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 11.3 | 3.1 | 14.4 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| 1997 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 172 | 70 | 242 | 42 | 27 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 9.6 | 3.9 | 13.4 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 1998 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 150 | 79 | 229 | 48 | 17 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 9.4 | 4.9 | 14.3 | 3.0 | 1.1 |
| 1999 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 24 | 41 | 32 | 267 | 73 | 340 | 69 | 37 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 11.1 | 3.0 | 14.2 | 2.9 | 1.5 |
| 2000 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 164 | 69 | 233 | 48 | 28 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 10.3 | 4.3 | 14.6 | 3.0 | 1.8 |
| 2001 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 145 | 64 | 209 | 52 | 28 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 7.6 | 3.4 | 11.0 | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| 2002 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 193 | 108 | 301 | 61 | 66 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 12.5 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| 2003 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 20 | 26 | 17 | 132 | 79 | 211 | 34 | 62 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 6.6 | 4.0 | 10.6 | 1.7 | 3.1 |
| 2004 | Brisbane Lions | 4 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 124 | 58 | 182 | 38 | 41 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 6.5 | 3.1 | 9.6 | 2.0 | 2.2 |
| Career | 195 | 232 | 196 | 1759 | 762 | 2521 | 477 | 362 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 9.0 | 3.9 | 12.9 | 2.4 | 1.9 | ||
Career highlights
- Premiership side 2001, 2002, 2003
- SA state-of-origin representative 1999
- International Rules representative for Aus v Ireland 1999
- Played in the 2004 AFL Grand Final
- AFLCA Development Coach of the Year 2012
Post football career
Until the end of the 2006 season, McRae was involved in a sports administration business and various football broadcasting roles including radio station Triple M, where he hosted a football programme with former Brisbane teammate Jason Akermanis.
In October 2006, McRae was appointed to the newly created position of Player Development Coach with the Richmond Football Club, necessitating a relocation to Melbourne. In the middle of the 2009 AFL season, McRae took up the head coaching position at Richmond's VFL affiliate club, the Coburg Tigers, when former coach Jade Rawlings became caretaker coach at Richmond. McRae took up a development coach position at the Brisbane Lions. He is currently the development manager at Collingwood.
McRae is also a qualified primary school teacher.