BREAKING NEWS REPORT
Subject: SAD NEWS: Craig McRae Hit with 6-Month Suspension — “Does It Make It Easier to Sack Him? Absolutely,” Newspaper Reports
Date: May 18, 2025
By: National AFL News Desk
In a shocking development that has rocked the AFL community, Collingwood Football Club head coach Craig McRae has been hit with a six-month suspension following a formal investigation by the league. The news was confirmed earlier today by AFL officials and first reported in a leading Melbourne-based newspaper, with the headline: “Does it make it easier to sack him? Absolutely.”
The suspension stems from what sources close to the AFL describe as a “serious breach of professional conduct,” though details remain confidential due to legal considerations. The AFL Integrity Unit has confirmed that McRae will be prohibited from all club-related activities, including training, match-day operations, and internal communications through the duration of the ban.
“The decision was not taken lightly,” said an AFL spokesperson at a press conference this morning. “This matter involved clear violations of conduct standards expected from someone in a leadership position. The suspension reflects the seriousness of the breach.”
For McRae, who guided Collingwood to a premiership in 2023 and has been widely praised for his leadership, culture-building, and connection with players, this suspension comes as a devastating blow to his reputation and future in coaching. While the club has not officially commented on his job status, insiders suggest his position is now in serious jeopardy.
The Melbourne Morning Herald, which broke the story, quoted an anonymous senior AFL executive as saying:
“Does this make it easier to sack him? Absolutely. You don’t hand out six-month bans without implications. It puts enormous pressure on Collingwood’s board to reassess his role and the message it sends to the playing group and public.”
The Collingwood Football Club is expected to make a formal announcement within the next 48 hours. Until then, assistant coaches and senior staff — possibly including newly appointed senior coaching advisor Dane Swan — are expected to oversee team operations. Swan’s recent return to the club in a leadership role may prove pivotal as the team looks to stabilize during a turbulent time.
Fans and media have responded with a mix of shock, disappointment, and anger, with many expressing concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the issue. Social media has erupted with speculation, with hashtags like #McRaeSuspended and #WhatHappenedToCraig trending throughout the day.
“We want answers. We deserve to know what happened,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “He brought us a flag, and now he’s gone for six months? Something doesn’t add up.”
The incident also raises broader questions about coach conduct, AFL governance, and the league’s disciplinary processes, which have come under scrutiny in recent years.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Collingwood’s 2025 campaign has been dramatically altered, and the future of one of its most successful modern coaches hangs in the balance.
The AFL has promised further updates as investigations conclude and club decisions unfold.
Be the first to comment