Pretty much said the... Oh. Never mind.

We should keep him at the MFC in some role.

He has so much experience.

All the reports I heard today say there is no way him and Williams would be at the same club.

Also saying Craig is another on big money at the Dees.

If we bring in Williams we would need to pay out Craig.

The decisions of 2011 are proving very costly!

Hopefully Roos will want to keep him.

Pretty much said the same things as in his presser, virtually word for word in some instances.

Pretty much said the same things as in his presser, virtually word for word in some instances.

....and we already have a thread in this

He is unlikely to be our next coach, but at least he says he takes some responsibility and has reflected on what he could have done differently.

....and we already have a thread in this

neil craig is a keeper , great asset

Retain Craig in 2014 for development role ...

Will he do the weekly coach's office segment with Robbo. Id doubt it. I will miss them with Robbo and Neeldy. I guess Robbo will have to do some actual work now.

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by dees189227

Neil Craig is an asset and I think with a restructure underway, PJ will find the most suitable and clearly defined role for him heading into the future. I agree that taking charge of a development program could be a great fit. We have been so badly lacking in that area, that if he were dedicated to development full time, he could make a huge difference.

Maybe that's because Neeld almost never coached from the bench?

I'm with you though in that I think Craig is a good influence on our players.

I hope you are right. However I am thinking if Neeld and his coaching strategy, performance, whatever was a problem surely Craig was part of that problem as well. I mean what was he doing in the meetings and on game day? We saw him heavily involved at training most days so surely he had some say on training methods, game plans etc. what's going to change now? We need to get the new coach on board ASAP so he can get an early start for next season and also before 5 other clubs are in the market for a new coach which has happened every time before when we were in the market after Daniher, then post Bailey.

I think Craig is the perfect man to lead the club ATM.

He is bullish about our list and maybe we can win more games than we lose.

What a breath of fresh air, isn't it fantastic to have a coach that isn't arrogant, delusion, inflexible, stubborn and insane.

I feel like flying. Hopefully the players feel the same way

...

...

yeah those poor Crow fans, having to see their robotic team win every week and make the top 4

Are you blokes taking the [censored] or do you just have no idea?

Edit: Craig was critcised heavily at the Crows for his players being robotic - sound familiar?

I am not going to reply to any other rubbish which offers little substance

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by Unleash Hell

I mean more in a mental sense, the players clearly weren't playing for Neeld.

Anyway as long as we win I'm happy.

Fair point Django

As I said I wasn't bagging what you said - I believe Neeld and Craig are too similar to see any big difference in 2013 - depends how he coaches but he was know at Adelaide for his players playing like robots

And isn't that what Neeld was just fired for? Well one of the critcisms anyway. I don't forsee too many changes under Craig - but at least 2013 will be interesting

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by Unleash Hell

I think Neil speaks really well. I'm really impressed with his press conference today. I will give him the eleven weeks. We shall see.

We all need to worship the God of victory, Nike so that Neil can win on the week end.

Now the disaffected players have had Neeld sacked (allegedly), isnt it time the focus was back on the performance of the playing group

After reading John Ralfs article in the Sun in which he refers to the tail wagging the dog at MFC the players had better have a red hot go on Saturday to show that they really want a career in the AFL and can justify being paid $10 million in player payments which is the same as Geelong and Hawthorn players get.

We all need to worship the God of victory, Nike so that Neil can win on the week end.

Be careful with your Greek gods and goddesses. They take insults very personally.

I think Craig is the perfect man to lead the club ATM.

He is bullish about our list and maybe we can win more games than we lose.

What a breath of fresh air, isn't it fantastic to have a coach that isn't arrogant, delusion, inflexible, stubborn and insane.

I feel like flying. Hopefully the players feel the same way

You can say that again Tone. Actually don't, there's been enough repeats on here!

Speaks well and delivers a clear message from the heart. My gut feel is the players will play for this bloke once they've had a few weeks to understand and train what he's asking from them.

One of the few positives to come out of a messy 2 years. The board (Schwab?) got this part right at least. Credit where credit's due.

If it came down to no other choice but Eade and Craig, i'd take Craig...subject to him wanting it badly. No doubt he'll be assessing this himself in the next few months.

Looking forward to the next 11 weeks.

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by Rusty Nails

he wasn't criticized you fool, they were just given the nickname Crowbots because of their gamestyle

In case you didnt realize he had them in the finals every year he was there

stop posting rubbish

Haha clown - I shall call you the blind deer from now on (no idea)

I was commenting on Django's comment re change of gamestyle - your so stupid you praise Craig without seeing him coach the club and Craig's gamestyle is what you so publicy criticised Neeld for

You cleary have no idea regarding the bolded statement because he was heavily criticised by crows supporters and the media - which is why Sanderson was brought in. You point out that the crows play like robots (which is a major criticism of Neeld) and you try to win the argument but comparing the MFC now to the crows of the early 00's

Are you stupid or are you a blind deer?

I will not waste anymore time with your crap posts

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by Unleash Hell

All the reports I heard today say there is no way him and Williams would be at the same club.

Also saying Craig is another on big money at the Dees.

If we bring in Williams we would need to pay out Craig.

The decisions of 2011 are proving very costly!

Surely PJ can say to Williams - 'suck it up for a year.'

What a waste to let Craig go AND pay him out.

Pretty much said the same things as in his presser, virtually word for word in some instances

It is a very simple equation. Craig has been appointed coach for the rest of the season, like it or not !

If he has aspirations to continue on as Coach that will in no small way be determined by how the team itself performs over the rest of the season

As a Supporter to me the most Important thing that we must see at a bear minimum is a Increase in "COMPETITIVENESS"

We need to see the Players put in and put in hard!!

If Craig can make this Happen then so much the better , if he cant then all it proves is that our selection of players is not what it should be.

However Craig might just see that turn around with some injured players also to come back .

If the MFC is to be Resuscitated we must see that improvement .

Supporters need hope to hold onto .

If we have that Hope we will remain .

The MFC has asked a lot from its supporters over the last few years and MOST of us have hang in there .

If it is screwed up this time around than I don't believe even the AFL will step into save us and there will be no next time around .

The only thing that has stopped me from ruling Craig out of the top job on a permanent basis is just what his involvement with Neeld was like. How much input did he have? How much did Neeld listen and take it on board? How much did Neeld value what Craig used to say to him? I recall a comment made by Neeld to an assistant, something like "you give me the stats, and leave the f***ing coaching to me" or similar (can't remember exactly what it was in regards).

I think you can see from the Essendon set-up that Hird relies on Thompson for educated advice. I don't get the feeling from watching Neeld and Craig, but that's obviously not based on anything other than my view (with no evidence to support it!).

The proof will absolutely come out over the next 11 weeks. I don't think we will beat St Kilda - imagine that press if the players managed to "find" something for this game that they haven't been able to "find" for Neeld in the past 18 months. They wouldn't be that stupid to show obvious signs of giving 100% for the next 3 months when there were obvious signs (according to the coach and some players) that they hadn't been putting in 100% so far.

I'm expecting us to lose to the Saints, but probably win 2 or 3 for the rest of the year, and the floggings to be kept to a minimum. We will then hear some players say that the external pressure relief has helped, and that Craig has just freshened them up a bit (ie changing training times, etc).

For many reasons, I, like most "potential" coaches (and no doubt a number of people on here) will be watching the next 11 weeks with great interest, as I feel it will tell us a lot about our players.

Some reason I like our chances Saturday just quietly.