Eighteen Collingwood players were huddled around each other – pats on the back and head ruffles being handed out at lightspeed – but the group was not a victorious one.
It was the final siren scene after the Pies’ clash with Geelong in Round 8 last year and Jack Crisp was the man at the centre of that huddle.
The much-loved figure, who was breaking the all-time V/AFL consecutive games record with his 245th straight match, had just pulled his after-the-siren set shot attempt wide to leave the Pies just short of a fairytale victory.
But as captured brilliantly in the Club’s new documentary ‘On the Inside: Collingwood’s 2025 Season’, Crisp’s teammates were immediately there to support their star veteran.
“When Jack took that kick and it didn’t quite go our way, you don’t get four points for that, but we’re winners in the way we represented ourselves,” McRae told the players in the post-match meeting.
“Like Steele (Sidebottom) said to me after, ‘you wouldn’t know they (Geelong) won, it looked like we won’.
“Live in that, appreciate that, it’s never complete and it’s never permanent, but this is the team that we want to be regardless of if we win or lose.”
There are raw reflections from Crisp himself in the moments after the match, with the 32-year-old candidly bemoaning what could’ve been in what was a whirlwind week.
“It started off being a good feeling, ended up being a s**t feeling,” he said in the wake of the three-point loss.
“It would’ve been awesome if I kicked it. It’s literally the dream, besides the flag.
“It would’ve been the best, but it wasn’t to be.”
The scenes open Episode Two as the Pies celebrate the champion taking over Melbourne legend Jim Stynes’ streak of 244 games in a row.
A narrative that had been building for years on the back of Crisp’s uncanny longevity, the 2023 Premiership player revealed there were times where he had to grit the teeth not to miss a game.
“It’s definitely hard to comprehend that about 900 players have started their AFL journey since I started my games streak,” he said.
“I still find it quite humbling. There were definitely a couple of times where I probably was close to missing a game and lucky to get through.
“But I’m glad we did, as long as I’m holding up my end of the bargain and performing on game day.”
Wife of the late Stynes, Sam, joined the Pies’ team meeting during the week ahead of the match to gift Crisp a piece of artwork to commemorate the milestone.
The painting depicts Jim at a fork in the road ahead of a group of teammates – with a sign forcing him to choose either the path where you ‘let it happen’ or ‘make it happen’.
A representation of the resilient and proactive attitude that Stynes displayed during his cancer battle which sadly took his life in 2012, Sam explained the mixed emotions Jim would be feeling if he were there to pass the artwork on himself.
“If he was alive, he wouldn’t like it – he’d be a bit antsy and he wouldn’t like this record,” Sam laughed.
“He was very competitive and he would not like you (Crisp) breaking it.
“But it was also pointed out to me last night that he would also be the first person to take you out for a meal and some beers and congratulate you for achieving it.
“He would be really, really very thrilled for you.”
It is a beautiful insight into one of the most touching moments of Crisp’s career.
Surrounded by his three daughters and wife Mikayla, the Crisp’s proudly celebrate the achievement in a reflection of the Club’s family first values.
The first episode of ‘On the Inside’ airs at 7pm on Tuesday 3 March on 7Plus – with all three episodes available immediately after.
