The AFL has reportedly handed Collingwood coach Craig McRae a warning for his post-match press conference comments following Friday's narrow loss to Sydney.

The premiership coach was questioned on a late game non-call from a match official that did not see the Magpies awarded a 50-metre penalty, which would have placed forward Dan McStay in shooting range with the game on the line.

McRae's stated that had the game been played at the MCG the umpire might have made a different decision, with his comments raising eyebrows and now the ire of the AFL.

"I reckon if it was at the MCG, it would have been paid. There's definitely an advantage for the home ground," McRae said after Friday's defeat.

"I thought it was a 50m penalty, to the letter of the law. I'm sure theย AFLย will come out and say it's a free kick or 50m penalty.

"There was a lot of deliberate (insufficient intent to keep the football in play) tonight too. That was a bit of a circus. So I'm sure they'll come out and justify that too. But the umpires don't always get it right."

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In a statement from the AFL, the league has confirmed McRae has been cautioned for his comments.

"The AFL has today been in touch with Collingwood and cautioned Senior Coach Craig McRae in regard his comments towards umpires in the post match press conference," the statement read, viaย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary.

McRae's Sydney counterpart John Longmire labelled the Magpies coach's comments as "extraordinary" when asked about the matter on Monday.

"I was frustrated after the game," McRae toldย SENย on Monday.

"I've been a real obvious advocate for umpires and how difficult that job is. I stepped over the mark, I know that.

"You're asked to do a press conference 10 minutes after a game where you feel you've done so much right, and then you get asked a question; 'Do you think it was a free kick'? and I say 'Yeah, I do'."

"I took it probably to a place I didn't need to go from there. I understand our role in this industry is to promote and I stepped over the mark. I've got to take accountability for that."

The three-point loss to Collingwood has the reigning premiers sitting in 11th on the ladder with two games left in the season, with the Magpies four points off seventh spot.

Collingwood face Brisbane at the MCG this Saturday before their home and away campaign concludes the following Friday against Melbourne.

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