Collingwood win Grand Final: Coach Craig McRae says daughter born on Grand Final day
The Magpies took out a sixteenth premiership win on Saturday after a nail-biting final quarter that saw them scrape in a 90/ 86 win over the Brisbane Lions.
However, the grand final win was not the only reason the coach was grinning from ear to ear as he addressed the packed out Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“Today was always already the best day of my life,” he told the crowd of 100,000 spectators.
“My wife gave birth to a little girl this morning at 7.45am.”
“So Darling, I‘m coming home tonight with the cup. I love you.”
His newborn daughter is his first child with wife Gabrielle and third daughter after Chelsea and Charlie, who shares with his ex-wife.
Mr McRae also took a moment in his premiership winning speech to say he knew from the outset that the 2023 team was a “special one”.
“I could see special things happening throughout training and we kept getting better every day,” he said.
“Now they are a premiership team. Congratulations we love you very much.”
He then went on to thank Collingwood’s loyal fanbase who turned out in significant numbers at the game.
“Two years ago we started our journey, this campaign, one of the major focuses was to bring the fans along for the journey,” he said.
“It‘s been a hell of a ride. Thank you to the magpie Army, we love you very much.
“You are incredible and you drive us every week to win the close games. You inspire us. This one is for you.”