Neeld Sacked with Craig as Interim Coach

[Hardnut 327]

As I said on another thread it is good he is making noises about the job, it will keep the players on their toes as he can't be seen as a lame duck coach to just go through the motions with. Whether he is serious about it or not only he will know.

Craig is not a 'lame duck coach' - he has been appointed as an interim coach, but he already 'has eyes on the top job' - wake up, 'rjay', MFC needs Craig to stabilise the ship and help develop potential players at MFC, not promote his own interests. Here we go again!

I only hope MFC appoints the next coach asap to avoid yet another round of 'ifs and maybes' - fortunately, I suspect the situation may be under control by more rational forces.

[Carlos Danger 380]

The news of Craig being named as interim probably sparked my interest more than Neeld being sacked.

I rate him highly and am very keen to see what he can do with the rest of 2013.

[rjay 23,888]

Craig is not a 'lame duck coach' - he has been appointed as an interim coach, but he already 'has eyes on the top job' - wake up, 'rjay', MFC needs Craig to stabilise the ship and help develop potential players at MFC, not promote his own interests. Here we go again!

I only hope MFC appoints the next coach asap to avoid yet another round of 'ifs and maybes' - fortunately, I suspect the situation may be under control by more rational forces.

Wake up yourself 'Hardnut' and you will read that is what I have said. I agree with you. edit...well actually I don't, shouldn't post on the run.

Todd Viney was a lame duck coach, had said he had no want to go on with the job...the players smell this and the poor performances continue. With Craig hinting he may be interested in the job he may well be in a better position to take them through to the end of the year even if he doesn't want to go on next year. It has nothing to do with promoting his interests it is about keeping the team honest.

Edited June 18, 2013 by rjay

[Generation dee 1,336]

Craig is not a 'lame duck coach' - he has been appointed as an interim coach, but he already 'has eyes on the top job' - wake up, 'rjay', MFC needs Craig to stabilise the ship and help develop potential players at MFC, not promote his own interests. Here we go again!

I only hope MFC appoints the next coach asap to avoid yet another round of 'ifs and maybes' - fortunately, I suspect the situation may be under control by more rational forces.

Uhhhh, hardnut... With respect to how you rate Neil Craig, I think you are being very harsh. He took over with 9 games to go in 2004 with a team struggling to show any cohesion, confidence or real ability and the very first game he played a Melbourne team sitting 3rd. The team he took over was 15th. That week, they promptly pulled our pants down and spanked us by 72 points. For the next 5 years Craig coached Adelaide around 60% win loss and every week Adelaide played, you knew that that team would be hard to beat and would give 4 quarters effort.

While I will mention that his last season and a half were very poor, he did mould the Adelaide crows team that last year missed out on a grand final by a goal. Furthermore, ill acknowledge that he had a finals record very poor in comparison to regular season games.

I'm in no way endorsing Craig, however I'm trying to point out that he has a record as good as anyone's in that time, including Rodney Eade while he was at the doggies. I think it's important to respect that.

Personally, I've seen a marked shift in Paul roos akin to James hird and mick malthouse over the past 2 seasons, and the answers he have given have gradually warmed from "no interest" to he now acknowledges he will take the call. I've heard more whispers that an ex-Melbourne and hawthorn employee who is now at afl level has expressed his recommendation to roos that he should accept the Melbourne position, which will be offered to him initially. After roos, take your pic of Craig, Eade, Williams etc.

[DemonOX 8,530]

I just want to take a quick swipe at those on this forum who abused and questioned my honesty and integrity in the "Time to go Mark Neeld" thread.

I note that the main reason given by Peter Jackson for the sacking of Neeld was the need to retain our players and show them that Melbourne FC was a place they could have a successful career. He essentially said MN had lost the players. I was given plenty by many on here when I said that this was the case and a walk out of players was on the cards come seasons end. I even said where I had heard it, a current player manager, and from feedback directly from players. I said it was not rumour and even mentioned players names. Yet still I received abuse and accusations of lying, and scaremongering from many.

Let me make one thing clear, if it is rumour, I say its rumour, if it is a fact I say it is fact putting my reputation on the line. I feel somewhat vindicated.

Now what I am about to say I have also said before. My understanding is that we are much closer to getting Roos than is being admitted. There have already been many communications prior to yesterdays sacking. Obviously Ross could only deny while we had another coach. Roos is very seriously considering a move to the Dees. The book makers have Roos at $5. At these levels this is an outstanding bet. The clubs view is closer to even money.

I have to say in my time on dland GNF has the best record of saying what will happen and then it occurs at the club.

Love the INFORMED posts keep em coming mate.

[Hardnut 327]

Wake up yourself 'Hardnut' and you will read that is what I have said. I agree with you.

Apologies if I misunderstood your comments rjay, but I don't believe Craig should be making noises about the long term job and I don't believe he is what MFC needs.

[DemonOX 8,530]

you keep saying hes the worst coach ever, i still think your wrong

paul sproule

kevin bartlett

bluey hampshire

royce hart

donald mcdonald

peter knights

john todd

Tell em he's dreamin.

The dud one is the worst ever he even said he would NOT have changed anything if he had his time over again.

What a fool.

What's the definition of insanity again!!!!!!!

[Hardnut 327]

Uhhhh, hardnut... With respect to how you rate Neil Craig, I think you are being very harsh. He took over with 9 games to go in 2004 with a team struggling to show any cohesion, confidence or real ability and the very first game he played a Melbourne team sitting 3rd. The team he took over was 15th. That week, they promptly pulled our pants down and spanked us by 72 points. For the next 5 years Craig coached Adelaide around 60% win loss and every week Adelaide played, you knew that that team would be hard to beat and would give 4 quarters effort.

While I will mention that his last season and a half were very poor, he did mould the Adelaide crows team that last year missed out on a grand final by a goal. Furthermore, ill acknowledge that he had a finals record very poor in comparison to regular season games.

I'm in no way endorsing Craig, however I'm trying to point out that he has a record as good as anyone's in that time, including Rodney Eade while he was at the doggies. I think it's important to respect that.

Personally, I've seen a marked shift in Paul roos akin to James hird and mick malthouse over the past 2 seasons, and the answers he have given have gradually warmed from "no interest" to he now acknowledges he will take the call. I've heard more whispers that an ex-Melbourne and hawthorn employee who is now at afl level has expressed his recommendation to roos that he should accept the Melbourne position, which will be offered to him initially. After roos, take your pic of Craig, Eade, Williams etc.

MFC needs to perform due diligence and be harsh in its assessment of any potential coaching candidate - they cannot afford, and will not be allowed, to make another mistake.

[Generation dee 1,336]

MFC needs to perform due diligence and be harsh in its assessment of any potential coaching candidate - they cannot afford, and will not be allowed, to make another mistake.

No arguments from me. That said, Craig was very much a players coach, built a lot of trust with his players but also kept them in line. I've never been one to be entertained when he speaks, but I would definitely enjoy a 60%win ratio and going to games not expecting to be beating by 12 goals ever week!

[Hardnut 327]

Wake up yourself 'Hardnut' and you will read that is what I have said. I agree with you. edit...well actually I don't, shouldn't post on the run.

Todd Viney was a lame duck coach, had said he had no want to go on with the job...the players smell this and the poor performances continue. With Craig hinting he may be interested in the job he may well be in a better position to take them through to the end of the year even if he doesn't want to go on next year. It has nothing to do with promoting his interests it is about keeping the team honest.

OK, we have a definitional problem here - a 'lame duck' is someone who is in power who is going out of power and consequently has no real power.

An interim coach is not a lame duck coach - the role of an interim coach is to ascertain the players on the list who show the qualities that suggest they should be retained and if possible, develop those players.

[Hardnut 327]

No arguments from me. That said, Craig was very much a players coach, built a lot of trust with his players but also kept them in line. I've never been one to be entertained when he speaks, but I would definitely enjoy a 60%win ratio and going to games not expecting to be beating by 12 goals ever week!

Fair enough GD, but ask yourself why Craig was not retained by the Crows.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I havnt been this happy since, since, since......... Well I don't think I have ever been this happy.

Happy Birthday Mate.

We did it for you.

[rjay 23,888]

OK, we have a definitional problem here - a 'lame duck' is someone who is in power who is going out of power and consequently has no real power.

An interim coach is not a lame duck coach - the role of an interim coach is to ascertain the players on the list who show the qualities that suggest they should be retained and if possible, develop those players.

Yep, ok but often an interim coach is perceived as a lame duck especially if they are not going any further. I wouldn't have a clue what Craig is thinking but just maybe he is talking about throwing his hat in the ring to avoid this perception.

[Binmans PA 25,997]

Thompson showed the skills in 2004 which has been evident since he has been at Adelaide. He is that first dibs midfielder we needed then and have needed now but never had. He played the first 13 games before going down with injury. MFC were 10 and 3 and top 4 on the ladder. When Thompson went down we won 4 out of 9 and feebly fell in the EF. Up until Hogan we have not drafted an A grade player since Thompson.

Disagree. Frawley is clearly A grade.

[Binmans PA 25,997]

Wake up yourself 'Hardnut' and you will read that is what I have said. I agree with you. edit...well actually I don't, shouldn't post on the run.

Todd Viney was a lame duck coach, had said he had no want to go on with the job...the players smell this and the poor performances continue. With Craig hinting he may be interested in the job he may well be in a better position to take them through to the end of the year even if he doesn't want to go on next year. It has nothing to do with promoting his interests it is about keeping the team honest.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was suggested by Jackson in the 'chat' he conducted with Craig. Even if you don't want the top job, Neil, at least make noises as though you do. It'd be clever management from Jackson.