1995-1996 (Brisbane Bears)

1997-2004 (Brisbane Lions)

 

195

 

232

 

Lions Premiership Player - 2001-03

International Rules Series - 1999

Craig McRae was drafted at 63kg in 1992… jockey size. Just. He was too small for AFL football, or so he decided. Because after waiting 19 years to get drafted he then chose to wait another two years to see if he could play.

 

It’s not something your average want-to-be footballer would do… but the man they call ‘Fly’ is no average anything. And could he play! After two seasons post-draft with Glenelg he stepped straight into the Brisbane side in 1995 and there he stayed for 10 years. Through 195 games, 125 wins, 18 finals, four grand finals and three premierships, he was a star.

 

Ever dangerous around goals, with a deadly left-foot, he kicked 232 goals. Yet goals were secondary. He was the original ‘know your role, accept your role, play your role’ disciple of coach Leigh Matthews. It was all about tackles and pressure. A brilliant team player in a brilliant team.

 

Without fuss or fanfare, he retired after the 2004 grand final to begin football life - phase two. A qualified teacher, he was a man on a coaching mission. To Richmond, Brisbane, Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn and now the senior coach at Collingwood.