Richmond’s VFL captain Sam Darley has paid a glowing tribute to the team’s coach, Craig McRae, in the lead-up to Sunday’s grand final against Port Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

McRae took over as coach of the VFL Tigers in late 2015, and they narrowly missed the finals last season after storming home to win their last six games.

This season, they finished fifth at the end of the home-and-away rounds, before scoring a 12-point win in the elimination final against Collingwood, defeating Casey by 27 points in the semi-final, and demolishing Box Hill Hawks by 65 points in last Saturday’s preliminary final. 

“He’s an unbelievable coach,” Darley said.

“I think Craig’s two greatest strengths are (firstly) his people management and how he is with us as people.

“He invests in us not just as footballers, but as people outside of the Club.

“And, then, (secondly) he coaches players to their strengths.

“As a kid, if you get drafted, or go through any sort of elite system, you’re always told what you can’t do, or things that you need to improve on.

“‘Fly’s’ big message to us is you’re here for a reason, you can play.

“It might be someone’s kick, or their attack on the footy . . . he encourages us and puts us in positions to play to those (strengths).

“Going out on the weekend, when your coach is telling you you’re good at something, it makes you feel pretty good about yourself.”