SHOCK IN COLLINGWOOD! Coach Craig McRae and Wife Gabrielle Reportedly Headed for Divorce
In news that has sent shockwaves through the AFL world, reports are emerging that Collingwood Football Club head coach Craig McRae and his long-time wife, Gabrielle, are headed for a dramatic divorce after decades of marriage. The couple — once hailed as the perfect love story off the field — are now reportedly going their separate ways, leaving fans stunned and heartbroken.
McRae, fresh off a premiership-winning season and widely respected for bringing discipline and unity to the Magpies, has always spoken glowingly of Gabrielle, crediting her as his emotional anchor during the highs and lows of his coaching journey. Together, they appeared inseparable — the very image of a strong, grounded partnership built on mutual support and love for the game and for each other.
Now, whispers from club insiders and close associates are suggesting cracks have formed behind the scenes. The couple have not been seen publicly together in months, and Gabrielle’s noticeable absence from key events — including this season’s Best and Fairest ceremony — has only fueled speculation.
Fans have taken to social media in droves, flooding X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Facebook with disbelief and sorrow.
“Say it ain’t so,” wrote one Magpies supporter. “They were the gold standard. Football, family, love — they had it all.”
“Craig’s always been such a steady, grounded guy. If they can’t make it work, who can?” posted another.
Neither Craig nor Gabrielle McRae has commented publicly on the rumours, and Collingwood FC has declined to address what they describe as “a private matter.” However, sources close to the club say the head coach has recently thrown himself even more deeply into his work — possibly using football as a shield during this difficult personal chapter.
It’s a shocking twist in what has otherwise been a golden era for McRae and the Magpies. The couple, known for their loyalty and low-key lifestyle, have long been admired as the heart-and-soul of the Collingwood community.
As supporters await further confirmation, one thing is clear: this story has struck a chord far beyond the field.
