Coach won’t publicly criticize players: Reason behind coach addressing star player “in front of teammates” after a missed opportunity.

Following the Anzac Day draw between Essendon and Collingwood, coaches Brad Scott and Craig McRae were swift to offer support to two key players who missed crucial opportunities.

Despite Essendon’s Kyle Langford’s stellar performance with four goals, he failed to convert a potential match-winning shot in the final minute.

Similarly, Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, who had taken a remarkable mark earlier in the game, couldn’t capitalize on a scoring chance.

Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, both coaches chose to focus on the positives from the thrilling match, witnessed by 93,644 fans at the MCG.

Scott disclosed that Essendon addressed Langford’s miss immediately, emphasizing the importance of sticking to routines and processes, regardless of the outcome. McRae echoed this sentiment regarding Elliott, emphasizing the team’s focus on controllable factors rather than hypothetical scenarios.

Reflecting on the game, McRae humorously mentioned his choice of wine for the replay, highlighting the mixed emotions of a drawn match.

Despite the disappointment of not securing a win, Anzac Day Medallist Zach Merrett expressed confidence in Essendon’s progress and the team’s growing accountability and consistency.