Inside Collingwood’s grand final celebrations: Jack Ginnivan gets the party started as Beau McCreery puts handshake drama behind him after AFL premiership triumph

Jack Ginnivan and Beau McCreery led the Collingwood celebrations as the Pies began their premiership celebrations after Saturday’s grand final victory over Brisbane.

Craig McRae’s side ended their 13-year wait for a flag with a dramatic victory in front of 100,024 fans at a sun-drenched MCG, although they were the beneficiaries of a questionable referee’s decision just before the final siren.

McRae has plenty of reason to celebrate after clinching his first premiership with his wife Gabrielle, who gave birth to a baby girl, Maggie, on the morning of the grand final.

And his stars have joined the celebrations with jubilant scenes taking place on the hallowed MCG lawn, in the dressing room and at Melbourne Park.

Despite Collingwood winning by a slim margin of four points, young star Ginnivan posted a selfie with his winner’s medal alongside the caption: ‘Light work’.

The Pies celebrate their dramatic four-point win over Brisbane at the MCG

Isaac Quaynor posted a selfie with his Collingwood teammates on the MCG’s hallowed lawn

Ginnivan, who was reportedly present at the horse races on the eve of the grand finale, was in an optimistic mood after the final siren.

‘I am not a basic football player like everyone else, I am allowed to live a life. I got home at 10pm and was on the water. Anyone can make of it what they want, but I am a premiership player,” Ginnivan told Fox Sports.

‘Unbelievable and surreal. Collingwood premiership player – it sounds nice, it sounds very nice. It’s surreal,” he added.

“It was hot, Brisbane is an incredible side with so many stars on the ground. Our ability to fight, compete and do things that other clubs don’t do. It’s unbelievable.

“To play probably one of the best finals of all time, I will cherish that forever.”

Meanwhile, Beau McCreery was in high spirits after leaving the handshake that left him criticized by the football world.

The Pies star faced a social media drubbing after smearing a young Auskicker as he received his premiership winners’ medal.

But according to his Instagram antics, McCreery is baffled by the saga and was seen wearing sunglasses at Melbourne Park as the players were greeted by a rapturous ovation from the Magpie Army following their victory.

Beau McCreery looked stunned by his antics after the final siren

He shared a video of himself and his teammates being praised by the Magpies army

Harvey Harrison shared an image that was appropriate and started up in the rooms after their win

But it was a different story in the sheds in Brisbane, where Lachie Neale cut a devastated figure

Isaac Quaynor posted a selfie with brothers Daicos and Tom Mitchell on the MCG pitch, before sharing a photo of himself next to his brother holding the premiership cup.

Bobby Hill, who won the Norm Smith Medal after scoring four goals in the final, shared a selfie with McCreery and Jamie Elliott.

Yet there was a solemn atmosphere in the Brisbane sheds as the Lions dealt with their devastating defeat.

Lachie Neale was on cloud nine in midweek after claiming his second Brownlow medal, but he wore a devastated face in the rooms after his side’s brutal loss.

He was comforted by his partner.

“I know everyone thought it was a fluke last year,” McRae mused.

“There are some bounces of the ball hitting the post, we understand that. We’re not saying this is a perfect science.

Young Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan celebrates his side’s victory with their fans

Mason Cox adorns himself with the flag of the United States after becoming the first American to win the AFL premiership

Craig McRae welcomed his third daughter on Saturday morning and the win capped off a perfect day for the Magpies coach

‘But there’s a bit of a trend starting to emerge now, don’t you think? We’re pretty good at these link-up moments.’

McRae, 50, was a three-time premiership player for Brisbane before turning to coaching: “On reflection it was one of the best games I’ve ever been involved in.”

“Sixteen is nice,” said Craig Kelly, Collingwood chief executive and 1990 premiership player.

“There is a nice spot available in the new AIA Vitality Center (for the Cup) and it will be good to have 16 square meters on the ledger.”