When an AFL player clinches their first senior coaching role with a teaching degree already on the resume, it raises eyebrows—and in Craig McRae’s case, it explains his deliberately human approach. From three premierships as a Brisbane Lion to a methodical coaching apprenticeship, his rise to Collingwood helm merges educational instincts with elite sport’s unforgiving realities.

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Full name: Craig Daniel McRae ·
Born: 22 September 1973, Victoria, Australia ·
Current role: Senior Coach, Collingwood Football Club (AFL) ·
Playing career: 1995–2004, Brisbane Lions (206 games) ·
Premierships as player: 3 (2001, 2002, 2003) ·
Coaching career start: 2022 (Collingwood)

Quick snapshot

1Career Highlights
2Personal Life
3Playing Career
4Coaching Career
  • Senior coach of Collingwood (2022–present) (Wikipedia coaching section)
  • Previous assistant coach at Richmond and Hawthorn (Saxton Speakers coaching history)
  • VFL premiership coach for Richmond in 2019 (Saxton Speakers VFL achievement)

Eight key facts about Craig McRae, pulled together from verified records:

Detail Value
Full Name Craig Daniel McRae (Saxton Speakers)
Date of Birth 22 September 1973 (Wikipedia)
Current Role Senior Coach, Collingwood Football Club (Saxton Speakers)
Playing Team Brisbane Lions (1995–2004) (The Age)
Coaching Team Collingwood Magpies (since 2022) (Wikipedia)
Premierships (player) 3 (2001, 2002, 2003) (Saxton Speakers)
Coaching Games (as of 2025) Approximately 70 (W–L record) (Wikipedia)
Marital Status Married (second marriage) (Wikipedia)

How many times has Craig McRae been married?

Who is Craig McRae’s wife?

Craig McRae has been married twice. His current wife is Gabi McRae, with whom he shares two children (Wikipedia – personal life section). Details about his first marriage are not widely reported, and McRae tends to keep his family life private. The pattern suggests a deliberate boundary between public coaching persona and private family life.

How many children does Craig McRae have?

According to his Wikipedia biography, McRae has two children from his current marriage (Wikipedia). Their names and ages are not publicly disclosed.

Bottom line: McRae is married to Gabi and has two children. His first marriage ended before his current relationship, but public information is limited.

How much does Craig McRae get paid?

Who is the highest paid coach in the AFL?

Craig McRae’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed. Based on typical AFL senior coach contracts, industry estimates place his annual compensation in the range of $1–2 million (Leaders in Sport coaching profile). For context, the highest‑paid AFL coaches reportedly earn above $2 million, but McRae’s figure remains unconfirmed. The Collingwood Football Club has not released contract terms.

What to watch

Salary data for AFL coaches is rarely made public. Any reported number is an estimate unless the club or league confirms it.

Was Craig McRae a teacher?

What was Craig McRae’s teaching career?

Yes. McRae earned a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of South Australia (1991–1993) and worked as a primary school teacher before and during his early AFL career (LinkedIn – education history). After retiring from football, he taught secondary school for a period before moving fully into coaching (Leaders in Sport). The implication: his teaching background likely shaped his patient, development-focused coaching style.

The upshot

McRae’s teaching background gives him a distinct communication style. Former colleagues describe him as a coach who “emphasizes connection and culture” (Leaders in Sport).

Who did Craig McRae play for?

Why do they call Craig McRae fly?

McRae played for the Brisbane Lions from 1995 to 2004, amassing 195 games and three AFL premierships (The Age). His nickname “Fly” comes from his ability to take spectacular high marks, a trait that made him a fan favourite (Saxton Speakers).

What position did Craig McRae play?

He played as a small forward and occasional midfielder. Despite being undersized for a key forward, his leap and timing made him a dangerous marking target inside 50 (Saxton Speakers). The catch: his modest stature forced him to rely on timing and reading of the ball, skills that later influenced his coaching philosophy.

“He was a brilliant mark for his height — one of the best in the competition in his prime.”

Former Brisbane teammate (via The Age)

Where does Craig McRae live?

Craig McRae’s early life and education

McRae was born in Victoria on 22 September 1973 and played junior football for Glenelg in the SANFL (Saxton Speakers). He moved to Queensland for his playing career with Brisbane and later returned to Melbourne when he was appointed Collingwood’s senior coach in 2022. He currently resides in the Melbourne area, consistent with his role at the club (Wikipedia).

Timeline signal

  • 22 September 1973 – Born in Victoria, Australia (Saxton Speakers)
  • 1994 – Drafted by Brisbane Bears (later Lions) (Saxton Speakers)
  • 1995–2004 – Played 195 games for Brisbane Lions, three premierships (The Age)
  • 2004 – Retired as player (Saxton Speakers)
  • 2005–2021 – Assistant coach at Richmond, Hawthorn, Brisbane, and Collingwood (development roles) (Saxton Speakers)
  • 2022 – Appointed senior coach of Collingwood Football Club (Wikipedia)
  • 2023 – Led Collingwood to the AFL Grand Final victory (Saxton Speakers)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Married twice; currently married to Gabi McRae (Wikipedia)
  • Played 195 games for Brisbane Lions and won three premierships (The Age)
  • Worked as a primary school teacher before full‑time football (LinkedIn)
  • Senior coach of Collingwood since 2022 (Saxton Speakers)

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary amount – not publicly confirmed (Leaders in Sport)
  • Specific details about his first marriage – limited public information (Wikipedia)
  • Precise home address – kept private

Quotes on McRae’s impact

“I want to build a culture where everyone feels connected to the club and to each other. That’s how you get the best out of people.”

Craig McRae, in a press conference (Saxton Speakers – coaching philosophy)

“Craig’s teaching background gives him a unique ability to communicate complex ideas simply. Players respond to him because he treats them like people first.”

Former Collingwood CEO (via Leaders in Sport)

“He was one of the most unselfish players I ever shared a field with. He worked as hard off the ball as on it.”

Former Brisbane teammate (via The Age)

For the Collingwood faithful, the story is still being written. McRae’s blend of teaching instinct and on‑field experience has already delivered one premiership flag — the question is whether he can build a sustained dynasty around it. The pattern so far suggests he’s not done surprising people.

Additional sources

adb.anu.edu.au, theage.com.au, reddit.com, leadersinsport.com, heraldsun.com.au, linkedin.com, facebook.com, instagram.com

For those interested in his personal life, more information about his wife Gabrielle McRae and their family can be found in a detailed look at his background.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Craig McRae’s net worth?

His net worth is not publicly reported, but as an AFL senior coach he likely earns a salary in the $1–2 million range, placing his net worth in the low millions.

What are Craig McRae’s coaching achievements?

He won the 2023 AFL Grand Final as Collingwood’s head coach, was VFL premiership coach at Richmond in 2019, and earned AFLCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019.

How did Craig McRae get into coaching?

After retiring as a player in 2004, he became a development coach at Richmond in 2007, then moved through assistant roles at Hawthorn, Brisbane, and Collingwood before being appointed senior coach.

What is Craig McRae’s coaching style?

Described as low‑profile and relationship‑focused, he emphasises team culture and connection over tactical dominance.

Has Craig McRae won any coaching awards?

Yes: AFLCA Development Coach of the Year (2012), VFL Coach of the Year (2019), and AFLCA Assistant Coach of the Year (2019).

What is Craig McRae’s educational background?

He holds a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of South Australia.

How does Craig McRae’s salary compare to other AFL coaches?

Senior AFL coaches typically earn between $800,000 and $2 million per year. McRae’s salary is believed to be in the middle of that range, but exact figures are not public.

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