**CONGRATULATIONS, FLY! Coach Craig McRae Celebrated for 300 Combined AFL Games and Honored with Life Membership**

 

In a heartwarming and well-deserved celebration, Collingwood Football Club’s head coach Craig “Fly” McRae has officially reached a monumental career milestone—300 combined AFL games as a player and coach. To crown the occasion, the Australian Football League has awarded McRae with a prestigious Life Membership, recognizing his immense contribution to the sport over several decades.

 

McRae’s journey through the AFL has been marked by resilience, brilliance, and an unwavering love for the game. As a player, he tallied 195 games with the Brisbane Lions, contributing heavily to the club’s golden era, which included three consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003. His transition into coaching has been just as remarkable. Taking the reins at Collingwood in 2022, McRae quickly transformed the club into a powerhouse, leading them to a famous 2023 premiership and cementing his status as one of the game’s top football minds.

 

The outpouring of support and admiration from players, staff, and fans across the league highlights just how beloved and respected “Fly” is within the AFL community.

 

This 300-game mark and Life Membership reflect not just a number, but a career defined by integrity, innovation, and inspiration.

Congratulations, Coach McRae!