“I’m still looking for that”: McRae’s surprising admission on work-life balance

Collingwood's Craig McRae says one of his biggest challenges as coach is navigating the line of work-life balance, stating he still hasn’t found the right equilibrium.

In his third season at the helm and having experienced more success than any other in the past two years, McRae is riding a wild high in coaching the biggest club in the land.

But speaking to SEN’s The Run Home, McRae revealed he’s found difficulty in escaping work.

“The biggest thing I’ve realized… is the relentless nature of the job. It doesn’t stop, it never ends,” McRae began.

“I go to Bunnings and I’m working… I go to my daughter’s football, I’m umpiring and I’m working, it’s just the job… I’m representing, taking photos and greeting people. The job never stops.

“I definitely want my family to be first and I say that to our players as well.”

That philosophy is emphasized by Collingwood’s decision to permit defender Oleg Markov to miss the club’s Round 11 game against Fremantle to attend his brother-in-law’s wedding.

The Magpies – with two debutants – coughed up a four-goal lead late to draw with Fremantle, although McRae has regrets about the club’s decision, which it’s understood had been agreed to in the pre-season.

“Oleg Markov goes to a wedding a couple of weeks ago. (We say) ‘family first mate, if you think this is important to you, you do it’,” McRae continued.

“I think that stuff pays you back. We talk about winning on the scoreboard, we’ll be criticised or rewarded… that scoreboard is our feedback and the industry wants us to win.

“But I and we at Collingwood want to win at all levels, so we have better husbands, better fathers, so Oleg becomes a better brother for his brother-in-law, whatever it looks like…

“There’s always a line, performance versus family, I get that, but when there is an easy choice, we’re choosing family.”

But despite 63 games in charge of Collingwood and now one of the game’s most famous faces, McRae admitted he’s yet to find the right escape.

When asked if he feels like he’s got a good balance, McRae responded: “No, I’m working through that. Whether escape is the right word, but finding an ability to not be the Collingwood coach for five minutes, I’m still looking for that.”

McRae, 50, famously became a father to a baby girl, Maggie, on the morning of last year’s Grand Final. He already boasts a winning percentage over 70 per cent, despite taking charge of the Magpies following a season when they finished in the bottom four.