“That is real and I respect that”: McRae responds to Longmire's home ground advantage comments

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has responded to Sydney Swans coach John Longmire’s comments about the Magpies having the biggest home ground advantage in the AFL.

The 2023 premiership coach spoke in response to Longmire’s comments that the Pies might just have the ‘biggest home ground advantage in the AFL’, which was mentioned in Sydney’s press conference.

The words from Longmire came off the back of comments McRae made on Friday night after his side was beaten by the Swans by three points.

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Whilst admitting it was ‘real’, McRae told SEN’s The Run Home that he acknowledges the difficulties of playing away from home and respects Longmire’s ability to have consistently got his side towards the pointy end of the season on numerous occasions, despite the travel aspect.

“That’s why I knew it was real,” McRae said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“Maybe you forgot I played for Brisbane because I know how hard it is to win interstate.

“That is real and I respect that. I’m not going to make contrary comments on John’s (Longmire) because I’ve still got my P plates on. He’s been a coach for such a long time.”

“His incredible ability to get his team where they are, consistently, is something that I’m inspired by.”

Collingwood’s last two games of the home and away season are both at the MCG, with the Brisbane Lions being their next opponent on Saturday afternoon.