AFL

Collingwood 'get clicks': McRae on Pies list debate

Jun 21, 2026

Goal for Swadling — Sam Swadling celebrates after kicking a goal for the Magpies in their win over the Power. -AAP Image

Collingwood coach Craig McRae believes discussion and criticism of the Magpies' bold list strategy is driven by "clicks".

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Three years after a premiership, Collingwood are fighting for a spot in the newly-created wildcard round of finals, sitting 10th following Saturday night's scrappy 11.12 (78) to 6.16 (52) win against Port Adelaide.

Despite having the oldest list in the AFL, the Magpies are aggressively targeting Brisbane Lions legend Lachie Neale, who will turn 34 next year.

Collingwood are also in the market for promising Gold Coast forward Jed Walter, as well as in-demand Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.

The Magpies have no intention of rebuilding, preferring to replace experience with star power over the draft.

McRae described analysis of Collingwood's list as "over-examined".

"I don't recall any other list in the competition that has been examined as much as ours, and judged," he said.

"But again, we get clicks, so it creates storytelling, opinions.

"It's an interesting narrative around where we're at.

"We're working towards being the best version of us.

"I don't look at the age demographic of our team, but there's a lot of different players that haven't played together.

"Chemistry is important."

After the departures of premiership players Mason Cox, Tom Mitchell, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Tom Mitchell last off-season, there is certain to be more change ahead.

VFL/AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury was a surprising absentee against the Power, missing despite the Magpies coming off a bye.

But McRae revealed Pendlebury had actually been sick, rather than rested to preserve his 38-year-old body.

"He came good late, he was a chance to play," McRae said of Pendlebury.

"We were umming and aahing over whether to bring him in late."

Explosive premiership player Beau McCreery has been heavily linked to Tasmania, the Devils considering offering him a monster seven-year deal to join the expansion club for 2028.

But McCreery is having a forgettable season, slumping to a new low against the Power when he had one possession in the first half and managed just one tackle for the match.

McRae conceded the 25-year-old was a "bit off".

"We've going to get to work with Beau, his best is better than what he's producing," McRae said.

"We can't leave him out there on an island to work that out.

"He's too important to us to be not playing at his best."