The Collingwood Football Club has settled on their next senior coach ahead of season 2022. Craig McRae has won the job, after spending five years as a senior assistant under Richmond's Damien Hardwick.

McRae is very experienced as both a player and a coach and will bring a new perspective to the struggling club in hope of turning the Magpies around.

'Fly' is finally getting his opportunity to lead an AFL football side after years of being a very well respected assistant coach. Known for being an expert in player development, as shown in his successful role as Richmond's VFL coach, Collingwood fans will be hoping those skills transfer to their own young list from 2022.ย 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Craig McRae the coach of the Tigers talks to his players during the VFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and Williamstown at Ikon Park on September 22, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

McRae's guidance was best seen with the fairytale story of Marlon Pickett. The newly-appointed Magpies coach offers a calm approach to coaching but has that ruthless edge he helped develop as a player under Leigh Mathews at the Lions.

Collingwood now needs to rebuild the playing list. McRae does will now lead a squad with potential and youth on it's side.

He will need to get the most out of the next group of Collingwood leaders such as Taylor Adams, Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard. These star names could be the drivers of a new path started by the McRae appointment. The Pies have a list that - with the right coaching group - can turn around quicker that previously thought.

Now McRae can put together a strong coaching group that best complements the senior coaches style. Justin Leppitsch is an obvious choice to join the newly put together coaching panel.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Tigers assistant coach Justin Leppitsch during the round 13 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at TIO Stadium on August 22, 2020 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Leppitsch a former head coach of Brisbane, was described by McRae as an "elite defensive coach", and looks destined for an analyst role at the Holden Centre.ย 

The Magpies look to be keen on contracted Hawks assistant Brendon Bolton, and could make the former Blues coach their senior assistant.

These appointments could fast-track the rebuild at Collingwood and will set them up for a successful period for the club.

The Pies have finally got some sort of plan and organisation when it comes to the football department. This coaching decision can get the club working on a better direction, with McRae a talented coach with vast experience in the game. It is an excellent hire which will set the club up for premiership contention sooner rather than many believe.

AFL Rd 4 - Collingwood v GWS
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Taylor Adams and his Magpies team mates look dejected after losing the round four AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Now that Craig McRae is at the helm, the Collingwood footy club can begin their push for a return to the top-eight next season and eventually have a continued period of finals football. This can turn around quicker than first thought.

This man can give members of the black and white brigade what they have been longing for since the 2010 premiership.