Max Gawn Highlights Craig McRae’s Troubling Track Record of Sideline Conflicts

Max Gawn, the captain of Melbourne, has pointed out that Collingwood coach Craig McRae has a tendency to engage in heated sideline confrontations, especially after an incident last season where he directed criticism towards a Demons player.

In a fiery display during the opening round on Sunday, McRae and GWS coach Adam Kingsley exchanged barbs as the Giants triumphed over the Magpies by 52 points.

Following the incident, which was captured by broadcast cameras, McRae was issued a warning from the AFL.

Both coaches were engaged from the sidelines instead of their usual positions in the coaches’ boxes. Reports suggest that McRae raised his voice towards the Giants’ bench after Toby Bedford conceded a 50-metre penalty for a rigorous tag on Pies star Nick Daicos.

In response, Kingsley gestured towards McRae, shouting back before he turned away with a smirk.

During a chat on Triple M Melbourne’s Mick in the Morning, Gawn recounted a similar scenario involving McRae and former Demons midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen from the previous season.

He mentioned McRae’s increasing notoriety for sideline confrontations.

“Craig has a track record,” he stated.

“Last year, he was very vocal with Alex Neal-Bullen while he was tagging Daicos for us.”

“When I observe [Cats coach] Chris Scott doing this with Geelong, I think, ‘It would be refreshing to have a coach who supports his players so passionately’. But when you’re on the receiving end of it, like I was with Craig and Alex Neal-Bullen last year, it feels over the top,” Gawn remarked.

“I accept that these interactions should occur, as most coaches engage in this way, but Craig certainly offered some pointed remarks last time we tagged Daicos.”

“When your top player is being closely marked, particularly when the tag is quite aggressive, I can understand why a coach would feel the need to step in. If I were being tagged, I wouldn’t mind Goody [Demons coach Simon Goodwin] standing up for me.”

Gawn acknowledged the variety of ways coaches interact with players from other teams as more opt to coach from the sideline rather than from the box.

“I’ve found myself in several sideline incidents with coaches,” he noted.

“I was in the crosshairs during a couple of Port Adelaide games, and Ken [Hinkley] had some direct words for me.”

“I’ve never personally seen Goody do it. There have been moments on the bench when he’s taken issue with an umpire from a distance, but not with opposing players.”

“I have a neutral stance on the matter.”