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McRae questions Quaynor treatment; makes contact with Rankine
Andrew Slevison • July 24th, 2026 9:08 am
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has sent a message to those who booed Isaac Quaynor at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
Crows fans were perceived to have booed and jeered 150-gamer Quaynor during the Magpies’ stirring 34-point (108-74) win to kick off Round 20.
It came after he was the victim of a homophobic slur from Crows star Izak Rankine in last year’s Qualifying Final at the same venue.
This was the first time Rankine had played the Pies since last year’s incident having missed the Round 1 MCG meeting due to the subsequent suspension.
McRe was perplexed as to why it was Quaynor who copped the rough treatment when he was merely an innocent bystander.
“I’ve got my little daughter in the room and she's 10, she comes to the footy tonight, little Charlie, and I teach her that we don't boo. That's all I can control,” he said.
“People pay their money and can do what they like when they come to the game, but I teach my children that we don't boo. We show respect to all people.
“It's a fascinating narrative as to why they would boo him. From my understanding he was the victim of a homophobic slur, and he's getting booed for that? It's a fascinating world we live in.
“I’ll just keep on educating the things we can control and in my house, no booing, lots of respect.”
McRae revealed he spoke directly to Rankine after the game just to show him some respect for growing after his mistake late last year.
“I actually grabbed Izak Rankine after the game and said 'we've got great respect for you, young man'. People are allowed to make mistakes, they are, we're all human," McRae added.
“I've got great respect for him, he's a sensational player. I don't know him as a person but the way he stood up and overcome what was, and took it on the shoulders - there's something to be said about that.
“That's life, isn't it? Make a mistake, fix it, or get on with it and improve yourself.
“We were rapt with our Isaac's game tonight, 150 games. Geez, he must have had the ball a lot early because he got booed a lot.
“His intercept marking was outstanding. We'll get our arms around him and show how much we love him.”
Quaynor had 20 disposals and nine intercept possessions in the triumph.
For the record, Rankine was good for the Crows with 25 touches, 14 contested possessions and six clearances.
McRae admitted the way in which his side beat the Crows on their home turf was beyond his expectations.
The Pies, who are currently just two points outside the top six, next meet Geelong at the MCG next Thursday night.
