Collingwood vs Melbourne, Craig McRae press conference, Nick Daicos return, injury, preliminary final

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is “actually proud” of his facet for reserving a house preliminary final, and says All-Australian Nick Daicos will likely be again to strengthen the Magpies even additional.

McRae stated Daicos doubtless would have performed however “are available in a bit brief” in a semi-final had the Magpies misplaced on Thursday evening, however as an alternative can be primed for a return as Melbourne put together for subsequent week with out their very own star midfielder Angus Brayshaw.

The coach despatched his greatest needs to Brayshaw as he stated he didn’t suppose there was any intent to injure him from defender Brayden Maynard.

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Maynard will face a nervous wait forward of the preliminary final with a giant resolution looming on whether or not his contact with Brayshaw as he kicked early within the first quarter was avoidable or not.

“I’ve caught it on a cellphone, one view of it, one angle, appears to be like like he’s within the air … truly, I’ll return a step – I hope Angus is OK,” McRae stated when requested in regards to the collision.

“I’ve met him a few occasions socially, he’s a ripping man, and hopefully this isn’t too dangerous for him, as a result of he’s had a number of concussions.

“Then the act itself, it didn’t appear like it had a lot malice, however I’ll depart it as much as others to determine whether or not that’s worthy of a suspension or not.”

McRae stated Daicos’ inclusion would give the Magpies an enormous increase, pointing to the affect defensive inclusions Darcy Moore and Nathan Murphy had on the competition as Melbourne was restricted to solely seven objectives from 69 inside 50s.

“I feel that provides Nick an additional week to coach and put together, he most likely would have are available in a bit brief subsequent week – he most likely would’ve performed, he’s progressing very well, however now he will get one other week of coaching and cargo in,” he stated.

“Issues going nicely, he must be obtainable. He stated it was the worst two hours of his life, watching the sport … he’s an incredible participant and each time you possibly can welcome again your greatest gamers – we noticed what occurred tonight when Darcy Moore got here again in.”

McRae was not bothered by the stark inside 50 differential, saying the Magpies had accomplished what was required to beat the Demons’ model of play.

“No, not too usually (does a staff win with such a big hole in ahead entries). However this time it doesn’t matter – you possibly can analyse all of the stats, however it doesn’t matter, you possibly can simply win,” he stated.

“Nobody cares on Grand Final day in case you’ve had 37 inside 50s … our effectivity ahead of the ball was incredible, we scored once we went inside 50.”

McRae stated Darcy Cameron had battled sickness within the lead as much as the sport and John Noble had been placed on standby after he dropped the backline common “with a heavy coronary heart” on Thursday.