Collingwood finished off their 2024 season with a victory over the Demons at the MCG, however, they won’t be featuring in September.
Craig McRae joined 3AW Football earlier today and was questioned about whether the premiership documentary released a few weeks before the start of the 2024 season and other small things affected their season.
“I don’t reflect on most things having an impact on our season,” McRae said on 3AW Football.
Collingwood premiership winner to be sanctioned after using a mobile device in violation of AFL regulations
A Collingwood star has been spotted using a mobile phone in the dressing sheds by eagle-eyed fans, but he is unlikely to attract sanction despite being in clear violation of AFL rules.
The Magpies and Melbourne Demons players were ushered into the sheds nine minutes from fulltime of their clash on Friday night because of lightning near the MCG.
While in the sheds for the mandatory 20 minute break in play, McCreery was filmed by a Collingwood staff operating a mobile device.
That led some fans to question whether he might be hot water because using mobile phones in the sheds is against AFL rules.
‘Will Beau be in trouble for using his phone?’ one fan asked.
‘Definitely not allowed to access phone until the conclusion of the game. Probably shouldn’t have used that footage,’ posted another.
‘I thought all phones were locked away until after the game… interesting,’ added another.
But Collingwood fans can rest easy, because not only was McCreery not making a phone call, it wasn’t even a phone.
While the side on vision made it look like McCreery was busily texting or posting to social media, he was actually using a tablet.
The device was being used to control the music in the sheds to help entertain the players while they waited to return to action.
The last time a mobile phone in the dressing sheds became an issue was the last time the AFL saw a lightning break, with Geelong’s Tom Hawkins spotted looking at a mobile device in the sheds while the players were waiting.
The club reported that he was handed the phone by an unauthorised staff member to check the weather. He was given a warning by the AFL.
Back in 2021, Collingwood was fined $20,000 when its players Jordan De Goey and Jeremy Howe were seen by cameras using their phones during a clash with West Coast after they had both collected season-ending injuries.
The Magpies reported that the players were calling their respective families to let them know they were OK after serious injuries.
The club did admit it was derelict in its duty to have phones locked up, leading to the fine.
It is not the first time McCreery has come under fire for using a phone.
He was also roasted on social media following the 2023 grand final win over the Brisbane Lions for snubbing an Auskick kid to instead do a ‘call me’ gesture to the crowd.
As the players filed across the stage to receive their premiership medals, an Auskick player would hand them their prize and the players would then place a hat on their heads and shake their hands.
McCreery left the young player assigned to him hanging, though, turning his back on him and using his hand to make the shape of a phone which he gestured toward the television cameras and crowd.
His antics were not appreciated by the remaining crowd, with boos ringing out through the MCG.
Viewers at home didn’t appreciate the snub either, hitting social media with plenty of comments slamming the Collingwood defender.
‘Beau hung the little kid out to dry. Gave him donuts. There’s always one,’ one supporter fumed.
Another posted: ‘Beau McCreery was [clearly] thinking more about doing his little ‘call me’ schtick instead of shaking the kid’s hand.
A third footy fan spoke for many when he posted: ‘No doubt Beau would want that moment back.’
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