- Incident happened during huge Giants win
- Both coaches are old friends from time at Richmond
- AFL looking into clash to determine if sanctions are required
The AFL is investigating an exchange between Collingwood coach Craig McRae and Greater Western Sydney coach Adam Kingsley, after Sunday’s heated opening-round clash.
The incident occurred during the Giants’ convincing 52-point victory over the Magpies at Engie Stadium.
Fox Footy cameras captured the coaches exchanging words on the boundary line.
The confrontation began after GWS player Toby Bedford conceded a 50-metre penalty, which led directly to a Collingwood goal from Brody Mihocek.
McRae was seen clapping sarcastically as Bedford left the field, prompting Kingsley to react immediately.
Speaking on Monday, Kingsley clarified exactly what happened during the exchange.
The AFL is looking into this incident where GWS coach Adam Kingsley (pictured left) and Collingwood mentor Craig Mcrae clashed on the bench
‘He didn’t say anything, to be fair. There was no abuse or anything like that from Fly,’ Kingsley told SEN.
Kingsley explained that while there was no abusive language, he felt McRae’s gesture towards Bedford was inappropriate.
‘I just felt obliged to say ‘don’t do that … that’s not on’,’ he said.
McRae defended his actions as being playful rather than provocative.
‘I was just stirring,’ McRae said.
‘I just said ‘We’re coming’, and he just had a bit of fun. He’s a bit fierier than me; I’m a bit more humorous.’
Despite their friendship and history working together at Richmond, Kingsley remained firm in his belief that McRae’s actions were inappropriate.
Fox Footy’s Jordan Lewis raised concerns about the potential for bench interactions to escalate tensions.
Kingsley and Mcrae shook hands and had a chat after the match, won convincingly by GWS
Mcrae (pictured) is good friends with Kingsley and said there was nothing in the exchange
The AFL has previously come down hard on bench altercations and both Kingsley (pictured) and Mcrae could be fined or worse for their interaction
Lewis warned that coaches have a responsibility to maintain composure, particularly when tensions are already high during matches.
‘If that’s a different player, it might ignite things on the bench,’ Lewis said.
The AFL has historically acted firmly on sideline interactions due to concerns over setting poor examples for junior levels of football.
Last season, Port Adelaide’s Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 for inappropriate interactions with Hawthorn players during a heated semi-final.
Geelong’s Chris Scott also received a suspended fine in 2021 for engaging with opposition players after a controversial on-field incident.
Fox Footy analyst David King argued that the AFL needs clear rules on these bench interactions to maintain appropriate standards at all levels.
‘I’m leaning towards a phone call, maybe a ‘please explain’, but not interested in big fines,’ King commented.
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley also weighed in, noting both coaches’ strong personalities contributed to the exchange.
‘They both wear their hearts on their sleeves,’ Buckley commented.
The AFL’s weekly incident review will determine whether any disciplinary action is required.
AFL officials Laura Kane and Andrew Dillon are expected to seek explanations from both coaches this week.
