Greater Western Sydney coach Adam Kingsley and Collingwood counterpart Craig McRae have played down a fiery exchange on the boundary line during their sides' AFL season opener.
Kingsley's Giants were convincing 15.14 (104) to 6.16 (52) winners at Engie Stadium on Sunday in energy-sapping conditions, with Magpies superstar Nick Daicos among many players suffering from cramp.
But it was a heated off-field interaction between the former Richmond coaching colleagues before halftime that became a major talking point.
McRae appeared to fire a comment towards Toby Bedford when the Giants tagger gifted Collingwood's Brody Mihocek a goal by giving away a 50-metre penalty off the ball, and Kingsley took exception.
"That might've been accurate, yeah," Kingsley confirmed post-match.
Footage of the exchange was shown on the television broadcast but no audio was played.
Kingsley worked alongside McRae as assistants to Richmond coach Damien Hardwick during the Tigers' 2019-2020 premiership campaigns.
He was quick to pour cold water on the former colleagues' clash in front of the benches.
"I don't know if it was that confrontational. We were just having a chat about the game in general," Kingsley said.
"He's a good man, Fly (McRae). He's a really good man and he's a good mate of mine.
"We were just having a discussion."
McRae also downplayed the incident, which came with coaches in the spotlight over interactions with opposition players following Port Adelaide mentor Ken Hinkley's taunting of Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan in last year's finals series.
Hinkley was fined $20,000 for conduct unbecoming and later apologised for his actions.
"I was having a bit of fun with Kingers, an old mate of mine," McRae said.
"I was just stirring. I just said, 'We're coming', and he just had a bit of fun.
"He's a bit fierier than me. I'm a bit more humorous.
"There was nothing to it. If you want to make it a story, it's a nothing story.
"We're old colleagues and I was just having a bit of fun with him.
"If it's more than that, we shake hands at the end of the game and I said, 'We'll see you next time we play you'."
Kingsley, now in his third season as coach of GWS, boasts a 2-1 head-to-head record with McRae after his side's convincing 15.14 (104) to 6.16 (52) win.
He was also part of the Port Adelaide team that beat McRae's Brisbane Lions in the 2004 grand final.
