Neil Craig post-match media conference

[Go the Biff 3,360]

Have a look on the club website & see what you think. Found it very interesting and quite uncomfortable at times. Between this and today's Jackson interviews, if nothing else there is a clear no bullshite philosophy at the club.

[Sir Why You Little 36,607]

It's great. Honesty is what will save this club.

The Delusions have been pulled back.

Keep Craig at the club next year. He is an assett we need.

[Demon Disciple 11,611]

Given that we are looking for a new manager of football, why not give it to Craig?

[Chook 14,988]

Given that we are looking for a new manager of football, why not give it to Craig?

I'm under the distinct impression that he doesn't want it. He doesn't see himself in that position, and doesn't want his career to go in that direction.

[Adam The God 29,331]

Craig categorically ruled himself out of the HOF job during the week. Still, James Hird said he wouldn't coach Essendon and there he was three months later.

[Demon Dynasty 17,091]

Craig categorically ruled himself out of the HOF job during the week. Still, James Hird said he wouldn't coach Essendon and there he was three months later.

Reading between the lines in that presser, it seemed to me he was sounding out the Coaches chair for the remainder of the season, or at least a good part of it, to see whether the coach's job was a good fit as well as testing his ability to make sure he's still got it. If all's well he might decide to throw his hat in the ring, assuming it's still open.

Edited June 22, 2013 by Rusty Nails

[Longsufferingnomore 1,609]

Brutal honesty. That is what the boys need and we as supporters need. I would be happy for Craig to stay in some capacity and if the results are on the board then happy either for him to stay as Coach with maybe a Scott West as his Assistant with a definite time period for a handover. Hopefully it would be handled a bit better than the filth. I hope the Club does give some consideration to him staying. The players absolutely respect him.

[What 18,810]

Fantastic to watch a coach representing the Red and Blue that speaks well, commands respect and actually answers questions properly.

i love Neil Craig.

[Adam The God 29,331]

Reading between the lines in that presser, it seemed to me he was sounding out the Coaches chair for the remainder of the season, or at least a good part of it, to see whether the coach's job was a good fit as well as testing his ability to make sure he's still got it. If all's well he might decide to throw his hat in the ring, assuming it's still open.

But are you insinuating if he didn't get the coaching gig, he would be up for taking on the HOF responsibility, Rusty? If so, I disagree. I don't think he has any interest in it. Of course, a paycheck would be a paycheck. Who knows, he might make a great HOF.

Edited June 22, 2013 by AdamFarr

[RalphiusMaximus 6,012]

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point.

I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,609]

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point.

I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

At least he didn't say "it is what it is".

[What 18,810]

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point.

I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

Are you insane? He didn't say anything remotely close to what Neeld used to say

Neeld always made excuses about average age of the lists and a bunch of other garbage

None of that stuff from Craig who doesn't make excuses thank god

Edited June 22, 2013 by hogans_heroes

[Pirlo 813]

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point.

I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

He didn't. Neeld came out breathing fire in 2012 and then claimed it was a 5 year plan and that 90 point wallopings were part of the plan.

[Adam The God 29,331]

Craig spoke beautifully. Totally disagree, RM. Neeld never so categorically and matter-of-factly demanded we need to lift our performance as Craig did today. Neeld was still banging on about the importance of contested possessions, yet we were suffering possession differentials of staggering proportions against us. Not once did Neeld emphasise the importance of team improvement, over individual improvement in such a way. Tellingly, he also never spoke of protecting the players, in fact, when he first addressed the players in 2011, all that went out the window.

I think the most telling moment in that press conference was Jack Watts' ability to crack a joke at the end. He would never have done that with Neeld sitting next to him, yet Jack played one of his best games for Melbourne today. You can tell just from that press conference that Craig has the respect of the players. Craig carries himself in an intelligent and insightful manner. Neeld always came across as arrogant, emotionally retarded and stubborn. Light years, RM. Light years.

Craig was not happy and demanded the players raise the bar after a six goal defeat. He said so in a respectful and constructive manner. In comparison, Neeld was happy with a five goal defeat to Brisbane and could only point to specific players, rather than the team to illustrate improved output. It's laughable, farcical to suggest Neeld's been saying the same things for the last few months. Neeld's been saying gems like "it'll take five years", having changed his tune from "things will turn around quicker than people think" prior to season 2013.

Importantly, Craig also pointed out that it was his responsibility to create an environment at the MFC that would entice players to re-sign and re-committ to the club.

Edited June 22, 2013 by AdamFarr

[bing181 8,908]

The revisionism didn't take long.

BTW, Neeld never said it'll take 5 years. He also never said he was happy with the 5 goal loss to Brisbane - in fact, he never said he was happy with any loss, quite the contrary, he said how much a loss always hurt.

And seeing so many are fans of Craig's no BS, tell it like it is approach, here's some more of what he has had to say recently:

"“Mark Neeld’s done a fantastic job for this football club,” he said.

“He’s done some unbelievable ground work.

“My dealings with Mark, the legacy he’s left at this football club is very, very impressive.”

[Chook 14,988]

The revisionism didn't take long.

BTW, Neeld never said it'll take 5 years. He also never said he was happy with the 5 goal loss to Brisbane - in fact, he never said he was happy with any loss, quite the contrary, he said how much a loss always hurt.

And seeing so many are fans of Craig's no BS, tell it like it is approach, here's some more of what he has had to say recently:

"“Mark Neeld’s done a fantastic job for this football club,” he said.

“He’s done some unbelievable ground work.

“My dealings with Mark, the legacy he’s left at this football club is very, very impressive.”

I believe he believes that. He also said that "sometimes you just need to survive long enough to see the fruits of your work." That saying is certainly true, although whether it applies to Neeld is highly debatable. I guess we'll never know either way.

Edited June 22, 2013 by Chook

[What 18,810]

The revisionism didn't take long.

BTW, Neeld never said it'll take 5 years. He also never said he was happy with the 5 goal loss to Brisbane - in fact, he never said he was happy with any loss, quite the contrary, he said how much a loss always hurt.

And seeing so many are fans of Craig's no BS, tell it like it is approach, here's some more of what he has had to say recently:

"“Mark Neeld’s done a fantastic job for this football club,” he said.

“He’s done some unbelievable ground work.

“My dealings with Mark, the legacy he’s left at this football club is very, very impressive.”

Neeld is gone.

Move on.

[Adam The God 29,331]

The revisionism didn't take long.

BTW, Neeld never said it'll take 5 years. He also never said he was happy with the 5 goal loss to Brisbane - in fact, he never said he was happy with any loss, quite the contrary, he said how much a loss always hurt.

And seeing so many are fans of Craig's no BS, tell it like it is approach, here's some more of what he has had to say recently:

"“Mark Neeld’s done a fantastic job for this football club,” he said.

“He’s done some unbelievable ground work.

“My dealings with Mark, the legacy he’s left at this football club is very, very impressive.”

Neeld said it will take three to five years to be competitive. That is competitive, Bing. He said nothing of making finals or even winning them.

With regards to the quotes, Neil Craig is a respectful guy. He has been sure to acknowledge his predecessor and his contribution to the footy club. He has been mindful of this at each press conference he's done. Mark Neeld was the exact opposite on Dean Bailey's tenure and failed to do anything but criticise his predecessor's era. Arrogance and disrespect all over the place. Failing to recognise any development or achievement from the previous regime. Craig isn't as stupid. I'm not a Bailey apologist, but he and Neeld have shown themselves to be absolutely inept, though the latter probably more so. Bailey didn't have the same public arrogance that Neeld had though, which you could argue was his first mistake.

Let's for the moment take Craig's comments RE: Neeld on face value though. The training and preparation may have been better than the Bailey years, but those years were never going to be particularly difficult to outdo. In fact, Craig's comments are ultimately vague. He says nothing specific of Neeld's ability to coach or instil confidence amongst the playing group. If you fail to differentiate the nuances between the way Craig handles questions of development, expectations, gameday output etc in comparison to his predecessor, then I urge you to give Craig's another watch. He is very careful to demand more of his players, but in one, demonstrate a willingness to nurture and support them during this. The manner in which he expresses these feelings is a world away from Neeld's approach in the same arena.

Edited June 22, 2013 by AdamFarr

[DemonOX 8,692]

It was great that we didn't here the following in the presser:

It is what it is

Our injuries are our injuries

We are training really well

I didn't see that coming

Geez what a breath of fresh air this weekend was.

[Waltham33 475]

Did he mention how well we have been training?

[Hip & Shoulder 64]

I was impressed by Craig asking a journalist what his name was. When the journo replied that his name wasn't important, Craig responded that it was important to him. I thought it showed respect, something that's lacking these days, and not just around the football club.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point.

I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

Really, I personal had the opinion from what MN said he had no idea of what he was doing.

Staements like "we played so well in the preseason" are real classic I willnever for get,

Anyway MN has gone and its all about Neil Craig, now.

A 36 point loss is well below the seasons losing average so the MFC is improving LOL,

[Vagg 2,437]

I was impressed by Craig asking a journalist what his name was. When the journo replied that his name wasn't important, Craig responded that it was important to him. I thought it showed respect, something that's lacking these days, and not just around the football club.

Agreed. Neil Craig is a class act as a fine human being.

[Webber 10,433]

He's all class, and the players will love him for it. There's a reason he is so respected in the AFL, and we saw it in his press conference. Would love to think he'll be at the MFC next year in some capacity, but not sure how....

[Mr Steve 3,820]

Think we are in good hands there.