Pies coach denies pic ban amid blockbuster trade link, discusses ‘next move’ after star’s retirement

Collingwood coach Craig McRae shot down suggestions his players had been told not to be in social pictures with possible trade target Bailey Smith as he outlined plans to replace defender Nathan Murphy after his forced medical retirement .

But with two wins on the trot, McRae was also buoyed by how “healthy” his squad was, with former captain Scott Pendlebury “hard to leave out” for the Port clash having recovered enough from broken ribs to train fully on Thursday morning. Collingwood’s own premiership campaign will push on without Murphy, who was ordered to retire by the AFL medical panel after months of him “exploring things and asking questions”.

“This is something that has been stewing in the background for a while, so there wasn’t a sudden moment of shock,” McRae said.

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