Watch how Collingwood runner Justin Crow communicates with the players on the ground

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Click here to watch a behind-the-scenes look into what happens on the Collingwood bench during a game

As part of CTV’s commitment to provide supporters with behind-the-scenes access to their favourite club, Collingwoodfc.com.au has recently published a video featuring Magpie runner Justin Crow mic’d up during last week’s win over Richmond.

CTV’s video features Paul Licuria taking instructions from the coaching box and relaying them to Crow, who in turn communicates them to the player out on the field.

If you have ever paid attention to the men in neon running around the ground last season and think you might have recognised one of Collingwood’s runners, it’s because you probably have.

Towering at 196 centimetres, former AFL-listed ruckman Justin Crow will be entering his second year as the club’s runner.

His job is to relay messages from the coaches’ box to the players in real time.  Once the head coach has made up his mind about a change, it takes only a matter of moments for Crow to deliver the message to the player on the field.

 “The toughest part about being a runner is dealing with the anxiety and stress of the coaches and players on the day,” Crow told Collingwoodfc.com.au.

“It’s vital to be a neutral link between the coaches and players.  You have to make sure things happen the way the coach intends.”

Crow, who managed one senior game in 2004 for the club, has to train regularly with the team in order to be able to run out a complete game.

“We can clock anywhere from 12-15 kilometres in one match.  It can be tiring but my previous conditioning as a player has helped.”

Even though wearing the bright neon uniform is required by the AFL to define the runners from the players and umpires, Crow has found in his two years as a runner that it’s important not to stand out.

“The less we are noticed the better it is.  We are doing our best when we are not getting in the way.

“I don’t even know what the score is most of the time.  My job is to convey instructions, not to follow the game.”