Following over ten years of marriage, Collingwood Football Club head coach Craig McRae publicly announced his separation from wife Gabrielle McRae, shocking not only Magpies fans but the entire AFL community. An official club statement announcing the news early on Saturday morning sparked ripples of shock, support, and conjecture throughout the AFL.
The 50-year-old Craig McRae, who has led Collingwood to the pinnacle of Australian football in recent years, said that he had filed for divorce, calling the choice “extremely difficult and deeply personal.” The timing of the news is even more unexpected given that the Magpies are now in the middle of the 2025 AFL season.
“This is a profoundly personal moment in my life,” McRae wrote in a statement released jointly with the club. “After much thought, reflection, and open conversations, Gabrielle and I have decided to part ways. This has not been an easy decision, but it is one made with mutual respect and the shared commitment to do what is best for our family moving forward.”
Despite the growing attention around Craig’s ascent to become one of the AFL’s most renowned coaches, Craig and Gabrielle McRae have mainly kept their relationship out of the spotlight. Shortly after Craig helped Collingwood climb from the bottom part of the ladder into Grand Final contention, the pair welcomed a young daughter into the world in September 2022.
Although McRae has mentioned his wife and daughter on occasion in press appearances, usually in kind and affectionate ways, both
That sanctuary, it seems, is undergoing a painful transition.
The AFL Reacts: Shock, Support, and Respect
Reactions from the AFL community were rapid after the announcement. Former teammates, coaches, and players have shared their shock and extended condolences to McRae and his family.
Longtime colleague and Richmond senior coach Damien Hardwick expressed his sadness at the news, but praised McRae for managing it with decency and openness.
“I understand Fly [McRae’s nickname] values family,” Hardwick said to reporters. He is among the game’s most considerate and emotionally astute players. I doubt that this was a simple choice, but I’m sure
he’s doing what he believes is right for his family.”
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore posted a message on social media soon after the news broke:
Several clubs across the AFL also issued brief statements expressing support and calling for respect and sensitivity from the media and public alike.
Timing Raises Questions About Impact on Coaching Role
With Collingwood in the middle of a critical season, questions have inevitably emerged about whether McRae’s personal life may affect his performance or tenure. Club President Jeff Browne was quick to address such speculation.
“Craig McRae is a cornerstone of our football program,” Browne said in a brief media conference. “He has the full support of the board, the players, and our community. We will respect his privacy and give him the space he needs to manage this personal matter. His role as head coach remains unchanged.”
Sources close to the club confirm that McRae addressed the playing group personally before the public announcement. One senior player, speaking anonymously, said the team was “emotional but fully supportive.”
“Fly told us this wasn’t about football. It was about being human. And he asked us to keep doing what we do—back each other in and push forward,” the player said.
Gabrielle McRae Remains Silent Amid Public Interest
As of publication, Gabrielle McRae has not made a public statement. Known for her reserved demeanor and preference for privacy, Gabrielle has rarely made appearances at public AFL events, even during Collingwood’s most successful periods. Friends of the couple describe her as “graceful and grounded,” and say the separation was a mutual decision.
“This wasn’t explosive, or scandalous,” one source said. “They simply grew apart. Life in elite sport can strain even the strongest of relationships.”
That sentiment echoes similar experiences of other AFL families who have spoken out in recent years about the personal sacrifices involved in professional sports careers. Grueling schedules, intense media scrutiny, and frequent travel are known to test personal relationships to their limits.
A Leader in Transition
Craig McRae’s coaching journey has been defined by resilience, humility, and emotional intelligence. A triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, McRae’s transition into coaching saw him serve in multiple development roles before taking the reins at Collingwood in 2022. In a short time, he has become known for his modern leadership style, promoting mindfulness, vulnerability, and unity within the locker room.
That approach, ironically, may now help him navigate this personal trial.
“Fly has always led with his heart,” said former player and current commentator Nick Riewoldt. “He’s one of the most emotionally mature leaders in the game. That won’t change, even now.”
A Plea for Privacy
The final words of McRae’s statement called for compassion and privacy during what he described as a “deeply transitional time.”
“I understand that being in the public eye comes with attention, but I ask that the media and fans remember that there’s a child involved and a family navigating change,” McRae wrote. “Your kindness means the world.”
As the dust begins to settle, one thing is clear: behind the tactics, match-day strategy, and media briefings stands a man confronting a painful personal moment. For now, the footy world watches with empathy as Craig McRae, a leader on and off the field, walks through this very human chapter of life—