MFC Media Appearances on "Black Sunday"

[Mr Steve 3,820]

Words are cheap Olisik. Hold it in and let it out on game day. Sick of spin.

[Dee-licious 1,800]

Very true. Surprised that Neeld isn't doing any.

My big take aways:

We are lost - seriously he's not answered anything straight - he's not prepped.

He says the players want to change the culture

Mentioned the football club, not our football club

Lots of support for Royal

Board is clear in what they want (performance wise) get the playing side in order

Didn't seem too happy about Watts comments during the week - said that Jones and Grimes have shown leadership on the field and others need to get aboard.

He says we have the players to move forward even though it is hard to justify.

Jones and Grimes keep getting talked up

Supports Neeld

Recruiting - we don't want to be a revolving door in selection and other guys put their hands up in the nab cup

This is the lowest ebb of a football club Craig has ever been in

But he wants to be part of it for the long hall (doesn't want to coach though)

Next week we need to have non negotiable - energy, intensity, if its not at the level next week we keep going

[Dr. Gonzo 22,415]

One of the worst interviews I've heard.

Neil seems very detached, almost bored, just giving the same old answers.

Which is why I said he can't step in when we axe Neeld - we need fire and passion not another robotic scientist boring/confusing the players.

[titan_uranus 22,366]

Just posted this in the other media thread:

Craig on SEN

Staying together is part of the culture we're trying to develop. A winning culture is something all clubs try to develop. We live with Melbourne Storm; last year they lost five in a row but went on to win the flag. Not saying we're the same as them, but that it's possible, when you have a winning culture, to come back. We need to have that. We need to look for opportunities to grow.

Craig agrees that it's fair for supporters to ask why we don't chase/tackle. Craig agrees that effort is basic enough and we don't show it. Says that what we do during training during the week isn't flowing over to gameday. We need to 'push forward' with a 'realistic optimism'.

On letting cameras into the pre-game, Craig says we have a certain responsibility to the media to help promote the game. We have some experienced coaches, so we weren't putting them completely in a new situation. Media exposure of us is going to increase; by letting the cameras in, we're helping the players deal with it.

Why did we revert to closed doors afterwards? Craig says we cop it for losing.

Craig is asked about non-negotiables at the MFC. Do we have any? Craig says it's hard to look at the last two games and assess what we stand for. We need to get a combative effort, we need to have intensity and urgency. We see it during the week, but we don't see it during the game. Craig saw 'more than glimpses of it' during the NAB Cup. We can't move with gameplan/structures unless the competitive element is ingrained in our game, and until then, we go nowhere.

Craig's then asked about leaders. At Adelaide, they had leadership. Why is Watts talking about no leaders when he should be a leader? Craig says 'let's leave Watts out of it', but Scott Lucas didn't like it, he should have accepted he needed to lift. Walls said Watts' comments were an insult to Nathan Jones, and that Jones should be the captain. He thinks Trengove is treading water. Walls said Jones always gives a crack so Watts' comments were an insult. Craig said that he read Watts' comments in print, did a double-take, and then went and looked at the video where he said them, and thought they were slightly out of context. Craig said Grimes was outstanding in Round 1, Jones was too, and last night, both Grimes and Jones stood up. We need to keep pushing more people to join those two. He believes Grimes and Jones are beginning to lead the way.

Connolly said the current coaching group doesn't have the experience or personality to turn around our 50 years of inherently weak culture. Our fundamentally weak culture kills us. Craig responded by saying that he doesn't agree about our current coaches. Royal is experienced and has a 'strength of character'. Neeld comes from success at Collingwood, has a strong personality. Rawlings is the same. The others are a bit younger and are learning the trade. He says that changing the culture is a difficult exercise, but it's not impossible.

How far away are we? Everyone thinks we're a million miles away, but where do we think we're at? Craig says that he can't put a time period on it. He doesn't know. What he says is that to change a culture we need strong people, in terms of leadership and playing ability. To our members, he says that our current playing group have a 'thirst to change their culture', they want to take this culture and change it to a successful one. He's been to the club this morning and he sees it. He sees it at training, he sees the work ethic, so he has the confidence that they're up for the fight and they can do it. Craig says once the fire gets going, it can all change, but we need to be up for the fight.

What is the message being sent from above (e.g. Schwab and McLardy) to the football department? Craig says the message is that these performances aren't good enough. There is strong support from above to get us back to where we were back in the 'fantastic days'. Craig believes the Board and Management have dealt with a whole range of issues in a professional manner. The next stage of the club is to get the on-field aspects in order.

Does the MFC have a strategy to make sure we get the strongest players? Our players seem to do things that you don't see at local football. Craig says mental strength is very important, we need it. We need highly competitive players, players who want to be leaders. He says 'we've got those players', though it's hard to prove that in the public arena with our actions not matching our words. Craig says he's seen it, 'make no mistake'. Jones and Grimes are examples he gives as players who are strong.

What kind of support will Craig give to Neeld this week? Blowtorch is clearly going to be strong this week. Craig says that part of his role is to support Neeld in a whole range of ways. He needs to keep calm, not let his thinking get derailed, so Craig will give him whatever support he asks for.

What's the thinking with our recruiting? Rodan and Pedersen dropped after one game. Walls was disappointed with our lineup - we give these new players one game, then we drop them. Craig says they were considered for selection. We can't let ourselves become a 'revolving door' in times like this. Each week we'll assess the group and make decisions based on that.

Has Craig ever been associated with a club this bad before? Craig says no, these are uncharted waters for him. 'Exciting' isn't the right word, but it's challenging. He says 'I'd have it no other way'. He has to use all his skills in a tough environment in a tough town to make us better. He wants to be part of it. 'I'm in it, I'm in it for the long haul'.

Does Craig have an interest in coaching an AFL side again? No, he says. I'm done. I'm enjoying my time at Melbourne, those days are done, I'm in this role now.

What are we looking for next week, scoreboard aside? Craig says it's the non-negotiables; energy, intensity, urgency. These will let the rest unfold. We need to be demanding about this. If we're not there next week, we keep going and we keep demanding. Eventually, with this group, it'll come.

[stuie 7,374]

Questions aren't top shelf

He is very knowledgeable character and I have faith in him

I like Neil Craig, i think he's a smart guy, it just seems that, like us, a lot of footy passion has been sucked out of him lately.

[Sir Why You Little 34,511]

Thanks Titan. Top effort mate.

[stuie 7,374]

stuie your ability to read an interview is as hollow as the conclusion you draw.

You think he sounded passionate? Give me a break.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,466]

Just stayed on to listen to the after comments and Walls and Rohan Connolly are calling for the AFL to step in and place the Club under administration!

[Gorgoroth 12,325]

Schwab is not really alive, it's a weekend at bernies style set up

[45HG 1,539]

Thanks for the rundown titan, great work.

Craig is asked about non-negotiables at the MFC. Do we have any? Craig says it's hard to look at the last two games and assess what we stand for. We need to get a combative effort, we need to have intensity and urgency. We see it during the week, but we don't see it during the game. Craig saw 'more than glimpses of it' during the NAB Cup. We can't move with gameplan/structures unless the competitive element is ingrained in our game, and until then, we go nowhere.

This stood out for me and it relates to what I posted in the Brian Royal thread.

I don't understand why they weren't taught the non-negotiables first before they were taught an overly complex gameplan that was very different from what our players were used to. Why wasn't it "ingrained in our culture" and our playing style first. Once the coaches see that consistent attack and intensity then begin to bring the layers of the future gameplan onto the group. It's like the FD have seen where they want to end up and they've just implanted that onto the playing group.

Anyone familiar with teaching will know of the "zone of proximal development" - essentially that you only push students so far that they can reach successfully but with effort.

The FD don't seem to have acknowledged this. Instead they've got our boys playing a game that is too different/difficult for them to grasp and it has shot their confidence to nought.

We need to rethink this "rebuild of a rebuild" super quick.

[Arrow 1,257]

I like Neil Craig, i think he's a smart guy, it just seems that, like us, a lot of footy passion has been sucked out of him lately.

Completely disagree, Craig is old school and for that you can't mistake his lack of enthusiasm vocally for a lack of care. If you did, you'd think Malthouse was the least interested coach ever.

Can't believe so many people are saying how disappointed they are in the answers.. No business in the world comes out the day after a bad day and states how the sky is falling and to sell all your shares and run.. MFC need to hold firm so that supporters do the same. Neil answered the questions perfectly. He's a very good person to have around the MFC is a dark time like this.

[stuie 7,374]

Completely disagree, Craig is old school and for that you can't mistake his lack of enthusiasm vocally for a lack of care. If you did, you'd think Malthouse was the least interested coach ever.

Can't believe so many people are saying how disappointed they are in the answers.. No business in the world comes out the day after a bad day and states how the sky is falling and to sell all your shares and run.. MFC need to hold firm so that supporters do the same. Neil answered the questions perfectly. He's a very good person to have around the MFC is a dark time like this.

You make some good points there D7. I think we're just listening with frustrated ears. We lack passion on the field so we're desperate to hear it from someone, ANYONE at the club.

[Courtney_Fish 183]

Words are cheap Olisik. Hold it in and let it out on game day. Sick of spin.

Yes, words are cheap - especially now we'll be getting them inbulk.

[jnrmac 18,980]

We have 5 people that have coached at senior level in our club. Neeld, Craig, Connolly, Rawlings and Viney.

We have enough coaching nous you would think. If it is still the players sulking about 186 or the Andrews report or whatever then we have to get rid of them. Simple,

If you dont run, chase, tackle, harass you are toast. There can be no other way.

Still not happy with the boys club environment though, The admin has a lot to answer for. And this won't be popular to say but when we started making allowances for Liam Jurrah - missed training sessions, weeks off etc we contributed to the cultural problem Too much workload carried by too few.

[Sir Why You Little 34,511]

Just stayed on to listen to the after comments and Walls and Rohan Connolly are calling for the AFL to step in and place the Club under administration!

Good. It has come to that.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

More spin so far.

Sorry didn't see the other thread.

Edited April 7, 2013 by RobbieF

[Arrow 1,257]

You make some good points there D7. I think we're just listening with frustrated ears. We lack passion on the field so we're desperate to hear it from someone, ANYONE at the club.

What did you make of the game last night Stuie? Where does the blame lie for you?

[rolling fog 1,146]

Whateley has Schwab in his sights

[stuie 7,374]

Good. It has come to that.

You would be happy about that wouldn't you.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Whateley has Schwab in his sights

McLardy is defending him to the death.

[demon3165 1,918]

Good. It has come to that.

Yeah lets take advice from two wankers!!! a coach who got a bloke beat up as a training drill and a jurno who thinks he's bright, good one.

Edited April 7, 2013 by demon3165

[45HG 1,539]

Posted this in the other thread, but fits here too.

Thanks for the rundown titan, great work.

Craig is asked about non-negotiables at the MFC. Do we have any? Craig says it's hard to look at the last two games and assess what we stand for. We need to get a combative effort, we need to have intensity and urgency. We see it during the week, but we don't see it during the game. Craig saw 'more than glimpses of it' during the NAB Cup. We can't move with gameplan/structures unless the competitive element is ingrained in our game, and until then, we go nowhere.

This stood out for me and it relates to what I posted in the Brian Royal thread.

I don't understand why they weren't taught the non-negotiables first before they were taught an overly complex gameplan that was very different from what our players were used to. Why wasn't it "ingrained in our culture" and our playing style first. Once the coaches see that consistent attack and intensity then begin to bring the layers of the future gameplan onto the group. It's like the FD have seen where they want to end up and they've just implanted that onto the playing group.

Anyone familiar with teaching will know of the "zone of proximal development" - essentially that you only push students so far that they can reach successfully but with effort.

The FD don't seem to have acknowledged this. Instead they've got our boys playing a game that is too different/difficult for them to grasp and it has shot their confidence to nought.

We need to rethink this "rebuild of a rebuild" super quick.

[frankie_d 1,407]

DM - mumble mumble - it's all the players/coached/FD fault (FMD!!@!#$@#$#@%#@$@!#@!$#@%#@%#$@!#!@#) - believes that the board/CEO is strong - the FD is letting us down -

What about 186/CS/DB stuff??? - ignored the question and gave a different answer

CS good with business side of things and is now a good boy...

ask the players/coaches - they will tell you that CS's influence is a positive

[Dee-licious 1,800]

Both interviews - not much on the players - a lot on the coaches and the internals. Hmmmmmm

Everyone seems safe. Maybe we need to read further into this. Maybe there is a lot of internal blame on the players not on the team.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Dee-licious

[Sir Why You Little 34,511]

Time to walk boys (club). I will not attend another game until the entire 186 Board is gone.

They are now the 186 Board.