Collingwood Senior Coach Craig McRae has addressed the media ahead of his side’s easter Thursday clash with the Brisbane Lions to open Round 4.
McRae touched on the Pies’ plans to cover the loss of skipper Darcy Moore, the challenge of coming up against the back-to-back reigning premiers, and his joy at seeing Oscar Steene’s successful debut last week.
Covering for Moore’s absence
“We’ve had a bit of experience with Darcy being out, particularly in the first couple of rounds,” McRae said.
“We’ll go back to a model that has worked in Round 0 and Round 1.
“Our team defence has been quite strong and anyone that’s watched us play or played against us in recent times realises that our defensive system looks strong.
“We’re going to need it against the Lions who are the best at moving the ball.
“We don’t have like-for-like – we don’t have 200cm key backs in reserve unfortunately.
“We’ve got Wil Parker who didn’t play, he was in the week before and he’s played some good footy for us, he knows our system, so he’s probably one that with a six-day break and some energy, his name will probably come up.”
Travelling to the Gabba
“We love playing away and Brisbane’s been a good home ground for us in recent years,” he said.
“Our fans travel with us which we love, and we can’t thank them enough.
“We do have somewhat of a feel that it’s our home game so that helps but you play against good opposition, you want to bring your A-game.
“We’ve been up to the Gabba the last couple of years going up there knowing we’re playing a really quality opposition that we’re going to have to be on our game for.
“We’ll find out a fair bit about our game on Thursday night.”
Oscar Steene’s debut
“Really pleasing that the young lad comes in and shows the footy world what he’s good at,” he said.
“He can jump, and we can see that, and we want all our young men that get their opportunity to go show what they can do.
“The crazy reality that he’s in now is he’s got to do it again six days later, and Pendles has done it 430 times and he’s about to do it his second, so it’s a challenge for him and I’m excited that he’s in his early stages.
“He literally said with the biggest smile on his face as we were leaving the ground on Friday, ‘this is the best day of my life’.
“Everyone has a story to tell and his was of injury and resilience needed and finding out about himself … I like those ones when you have to prove a few people wrong.”
