AFL fans are debating the actions of Collingwood coach Craig McRae on Thursday night that might have gone against a recent crackdown from league bosses. With Collingwood up by seven points against Hawthorn with three minutes to play, the ball travelled over the boundary line near the wing and bounced into the crowd.
A young Hawthorn supporter picked up the ball and then looked towards the field wondering who to throw it to. Broadcast cameras appeared to capture the moment McRae called for the ball, and the Hawthorn support obliged.
Craig McRae appeared to call for the ball from the Hawthorn supporter. Image: Getty/Channel 7
The Collingwood coach then turned and walked back to his bench after the ball had been thrown, without catching it or picking it up. AFL fans suggested it was a deliberate ploy to waste some time, rather than getting the ball back into play straight away.
Because the ball was out of bounds, the clock was stopped and it didn’t waste any actual game time. But the extra couple of seconds would have allowed Collingwood players to catch their breath and set up their defence better.
One person wrote on social media: “This is very clever by Craig McRae, calling for the ball from the fan so the boundary takes a little bit longer.” The 7AFL account re-posted the video, writing: “Quick thinking from Craig McRae.”
AFL fans debate Craig McRae moment
But debate has erupted about whether it was ‘clever’ or poor sportsmanship. And it might have flouted a recent edict from AFL House.
There was a similar incident involving Ben Keays of the Crows last month in which he instructed an Adelaide fan not to throw the ball back into play. Keays was apparently trying to allow his teammates to get a breather and hold up play for a few extra seconds.
Craig McRae called for the ball but didn’t catch it or pick it up. Image: Channel 7
According to Xander McGuire of Channel 7, the AFL contacted the Crows and said they didn’t want to see it happen again. McGuire reported: “The AFL has told Adelaide it doesn’t want to see a repeat of Ben Keays’ actions – instructing a Crows fan in the crowd to keep the ball from the Dogs. It wasn’t a formal warning – but could escalate if it becomes a trend.”
One person wrote on Thursday night about McRae’s actions: “This definitely shouldn’t be allowed. Deliberate effort to slow the game.” Another wrote: “The AFL already said they dealt with this with the Ben Keays issue earlier in the year. There was to be no ‘encouragement’ from players/coaches to the fans to interfere in the game. Fine incoming.”
Others defended the Collingwood coach and said it had a minuscule impact on the game. In fact, the move didn’t work as Hawthorn ended up kicking a goal after the siren to secure a draw anyway.