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Collingwood's AFL premiership win has capped off a day of personal significance for coach Craig McRae, who announced during the post-grand-final ceremony his wife had given birth earlier in the day.
- McRae announced the news following Collingwood's win over the Brisbane Lions
- He and his wife named their baby girl Maggie
- McRae had to rush to the hospital to be with his wife as she gave birth
McRae's wife Gabrielle had a baby girl — named Maggie — on Saturday morning, just hours before her husband led the Magpies to their 16th premiership with a thrilling four-point win over the Brisbane Lions.
McRae announced his stunning family news to the MCG crowd of more than 100,000 spectators, who roared in delight.
"Today was already the best day of my life because my wife gave birth to a little girl this morning at 7:45," McRae told the crowd.
"So darling, I'm coming home tonight with the cup. I love you."
McRae later told the Seven Network he was by his wife's side when she gave birth.
"My wife is incredible. She went into labour yesterday afternoon [but] didn't tell me," he said.
"She said she wasn't feeling very well. I went to bed last night thinking everything was fine and I get a phone call this morning at about a quarter to six saying, 'You better get to hospital. This baby is coming.'"
McRae guided the Magpies to their first flag since 2010 in just his second season as head coach.
He took over the role following the club's disastrous 2021 season in which it finished second last after winning just six of its 22 matches.
McRae took the Magpies to a preliminary finals appearance last year, before capturing the minor premiership on their way to winning the flag this season.
He was a three-time premiership player with the Lions between 2001 and 2003.
McRae claimed a VFL flag when coach of Richmond's reserves team in 2019.