McRae tells Collingwood fans to ‘stay true’ as Magpies look to defy history in premiership defence

At 0-2, Collingwood’s premiership defence is not going to plan.

However in coach Craig McRae’s eyes, the Magpies’ bid to go back-to-back is following a well-known script.

Collingwood was introduced crashing again to earth by losses to GWS and Sydney first up and the group should defy current historical past to assert silverware.

No membership this century has received the flag after dropping their first two video games of the season.

“I do recall that later within the 12 months final 12 months that apparently we have been no probability to win the premiership as a result of no-one had received the premiership having misplaced three of the final 5 [home-and-away games],” McRae stated.

“We similar to to take care of details, and we stroll in right here on Sunday and the place was buzzing.

“There’s an vitality to get higher, and I have to admit there was an vitality to get higher all of final 12 months too.

“So nothing’s modified in there. We’ll simply preserve working higher to get higher at what we’re doing, and we have got work to do.

“Keep true, Collingwood supporters. We’ll flip this round at some stage, I assure you that.”

Adjustments loom in opposition to St Kilda at Docklands on Thursday evening, as Collingwood makes an attempt to keep away from a 0-3 begin.

Midfielder Tom Mitchell (ankle) is match however no assure to be recalled in opposition to the Saints.

ABC Sport shall be dwell running a blog each spherical of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2024.

Large man Billy Frampton and ahead Reef McInnes seem probably inclusions, with Ash Johnson and Charlie Dean probably making manner.

McRae, a member of Brisbane’s 2001-03 “three-peat” as a participant, was requested how he knew the starvation was there.

“I can not write a e-book, however I might inform you the script of how it is going to play out, and most of that is taking part in out proper now,” he stated.

“Already, people aren’t taking part in nicely, so there’s an assault on people’ performances, there’s discovering cracks in your armour and there is assaults on that.”

McRae, who honed in on turnovers out of defence as a key situation, dismissed the suggestion the reigning premiers might flick the swap.

“Nothing’s straightforward on this world, and we prefer it like that,” he stated.

“This group may be very decided to enhance and we’re not standing nonetheless.”

McRae wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not groups had discovered them out, however was adamant the robust begin would maintain his resilient costs in good stead.

“I am unsure about actuality verify, but it surely’s undoubtedly a present as a result of we get to see the place we’re at in opposition to good opposition after which see elements of the sport that we have to enhance,” he stated.

“And I am positive at some stage this 12 months we’ll look again at this era and go, ‘Gee, that was an necessary few weeks we had as a gaggle.'”

AAP