Collingwood coach Craig McRae denies Jack Crisp video controversy hijacked Magpies in loss to Brisbane Lions
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has denied the Jack Crisp video controversy hijacked the Magpies as they sunk to their first loss of the season on Thursday night.
The Magpies mentor also stressed his “love and support” for the 29-year-old while admitting he doesn’t always “condone” the behaviour of his players, 24 hours after a video involving Crisp went viral on social media.
Crisp took to the field and finished with 15 disposals and a goal as Collingwood slumped to a 33-point defeat to Brisbane at the Gabba.
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McRae was certain to be asked about the potential hindrance of the video drama after the Magpies’ loss.
”No, I wouldn’t have thought so,” he said when asked if it derailed the team.
“I don’t want to make any excuses for anything.”
McRae added that he would not comment on the investigations being carried out by Collingwood and the AFL’s integrity unit.
“In terms of Jack, it’s like every player on our list; we love and support them and we 100 per cent have got their back as people and humans,” McRae said.
“I’ve said this before: there’s lots of stuff that goes on within our players that I’m not always going to condone. I’m a father and I don’t always condone the things my kids do, but at the end of the day we love and support them, and that’s not going to change.”
The Lions dominated the Magpies in the second quarter, piling on six goals to the visitors’ zero to establish a 22-point half-time buffer.
Malthouse weighs in on Crisp saga
Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron made an emphatic statement after a meagre first three games sparked criticism, booting six goals from 14 touches.
Cameron Rayner played in defence over the first three rounds but, after the former No.1 draft pick was shifted forward and bagged four goals from 17 possessions, coach Chris Fagan will almost certainly keep him inside 50.
In the AFL’s inaugural Gather Round next week, Brisbane will be hunting its third win of the season in a clash with North Melbourne at Mount Barker.
Collingwood will be searching for its fourth win of the season in a game against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.
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