What do we need? A senior coach who knows how to win, and knows what success looks like.

But above all, we need someone with EXPERIENCE!!!

Now let's look at the candidates:

Paul Roos: Out of the game for 3(?) years now, lives in Sydney, and has his whole life set-up there. Reknowned for the culture he set-up at Sydney, which is still seeing dividends to this day. I don't want a coach who hasn't stayed in the coaching arena since his retirement. He's an alluring prospect, but I don't know if he'll live up to the hype.

Rodney Eade: Stayed in the game, which is a positive. But he has had two opportunities at two different clubs. Will he really be able to make it at his THIRD club? Highly unlikely, I would have thought.

Mark Williams: Also still coaching, and apparently has the fire to coach again. But I'm worried that the way Port played in the final few years of his Port Adelaide stint is way too much like the way we're playing now. I don't think he can bring what we don't have. To me, he's a definite no.

Neil Craig: This is a guy who has all of what we need in a coach, but also already knows their strengths and weaknesses. He knows what success looks like, he knows what professionalism looks like, and he knows what motivates his players, because he knows who they are as people.

All this adds up to Neil Craig being the best candidate. I would like to see what Al Clarkson's position is with respect to his relationship with Hawthorn, but I think Neil Craig is the second-best candidate for us after Clarko.

Is there anyone else out there who thinks Craigy is the man for us?

What do we need? A senior coach who knows how to win, and knows what success looks like.

But above all, we need someone with EXPERIENCE!!!

Now let's look at the candidates:

Paul Roos: Out of the game for 3(?) years now, lives in Sydney, and has his whole life set-up there. Reknowned for the culture he set-up at Sydney, which is still seeing dividends to this day. I don't want a coach who hasn't stayed in the coaching arena since his retirement. He's an alluring prospect, but I don't know if he'll live up to the hype.

Rodney Eade: Stayed in the game, which is a positive. But he has had two opportunities at two different clubs. Will he really be able to make it at his THIRD club? Highly unlikely, I would have thought.

Mark Williams: Also still coaching, and apparently has the fire to coach again. But I'm worried that the way Port played in the final few years of his Port Adelaide stint is way too much like the way we're playing now. I don't think he can bring what we don't have. To me, he's a definite no.

Neil Craig: This is a guy who has all of what we need in a coach, but also already knows their strengths and weaknesses. He knows what success looks like, he knows what professionalism looks like, and he knows what motivates his players, because he knows who they are as people.

All this adds up to Neil Craig being the best candidate. I would like to see what Al Clarkson's position is with respect to his relationship with Hawthorn, but I think Neil Craig is the second-best candidate for us after Clarko.

Is there anyone else out there who thinks Craigy is the man for us?

Absolutely believe he could be our man. Have seen first hand his relationship with the players. One of the main absolutes of being a good coach is the ability of having the players want to play and win for the coach. I see this in Neil. I just hope he wants it as bad as we may want him.

Isn't Neil Craig the guy who was mentoring Mark Neeld?..... Hmmmmm....

Isn't Neil Craig the guy who was mentoring Mark Neeld?..... Hmmmmm....

You mean like Mick Malthouse?

Any other coach is going to come in not knowing out players, and we'll waste another season just getting him familiar with everyone before the real change starts.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of waiting.

You mean like Mick Malthouse?

Any other coach is going to come in not knowing out players, and we'll waste another season just getting him familiar with everyone before the real change starts.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of waiting.

I'm not totally against the idea of Craig, but let's remember he's been at the club the same amount of time as Neeld, think we need a bit more evidence rather than a half competitive game.

I'd still rather Roos, Choco, or Eade at this stage.

You're worried about what Williams did at Port, but not what Craig did at Adelaide. Furthermore, Williams has been an awesome assistant whilst Craig failed to steer Neeld. Give him another 10 weeks, and then maybe.

You're worried about what Williams did at Port, but not what Craig did at Adelaide. Furthermore, Williams has been an awesome assistant whilst Craig failed to steer Neeld. Give him another 10 weeks, and then maybe.

Port Adelaide were flaky for years under Williams. Adelaide were probably underperforming for the last couple of years under Neil Craig. Both were sacked, so they obviously ran out of steam at their clubs. The difference is that Craig is familiar with our club, and can make the hard calls immediately.

I'm sure Mark Williams is doing a great job as an assistant, but so did Mark Neeld.

Port Adelaide were flaky for years under Williams. Adelaide were probably underperforming for the last couple of years under Neil Craig. Both were sacked, so they obviously ran out of steam at their clubs. The difference is that Craig is familiar with our club, and can make the hard calls immediately.

I'm sure Mark Williams is doing a great job as an assistant, but so did Mark Neeld.

Geez that's poor reasoning.

Firstly, Choco won a premiership, Craig did not.

Secondly, yes Craig is VERY familiar with the group, he's been there guiding Neeld the whole time.

Thirdly, we continued our baffling decisions at the selection table this week, so not sure we're going to see these "hard calls" you speak of.

Geez that's poor reasoning.

Firstly, Choco won a premiership, Craig did not.

Secondly, yes Craig is VERY familiar with the group, he's been there guiding Neeld the whole time.

Thirdly, we continued our baffling decisions at the selection table this week, so not sure we're going to see these "hard calls" you speak of.

I'm speaking from a list management perspective. All of the coaches I've mentioned would be good choices. I just think that Craig would be the best option because of his familiarity with the list; but if the Club thinks that he was the driving force behind the decisions that caused Mark Neeld to get the sack, then I could certainly understand him not being selected. I just wonder if that is the case, since we've opted to go with him over Viney (who also has senior coaching experience, albeit as an interim).

I'm speaking from a list management perspective. All of the coaches I've mentioned would be good choices. I just think that Craig would be the best option because of his familiarity with the list; but if the Club thinks that he was the driving force behind the decisions that caused Mark Neeld to get the sack, then I could certainly understand him not being selected. I just wonder if that is the case, since we've opted to go with him over Viney (who also has senior coaching experience, albeit as an interim).

There is a conflict of interest with Viney, even if Craig wasn't the coach, it would go to Rawlings before Viney.

Also, I don't think Todd Viney has any coaching ambitions, so it makes no sense for him to coach.

As a club, we owe it to our assistants to give them the chance to at least audition for the main role if it's available.

I agree with you that Craig would be a good option, it's just whether or not he is the BEST option, as we need the very best coach we can get.

He was very impressive in his post match interview and on face value he looks like he'd be a far better fit than Neeld was for our players.

Hang n guys and gals if we have a "the Neil Craig 4 coach" thread then to be fair we need a "it's time to go Neil Craig" thread!

It's only fair to have a balanced argument!

While we have the opportunity to snag either Roos or Williams we should go for it.

If we land either membership will go through the roof along with hope and sponsors.

IMO I don't think Neil Craig would have the same affect.

I like Neil Craig but not as head coach long term.

Craig does not want the job as I understand. Moot point - not to say he is not the best option.

Hang n guys and gals if we have a "the Neil Craig 4 coach" thread then to be fair we need a "it's time to go Neil Craig" thread!

It's only fair to have a balanced argument!

Do we need 2 threads to discuss the pros and cons of NC?

There is a conflict of interest with Viney,

I'm not saying your not correct in that Craig was a better interim option then Viney, but I don't buy into the whole conflict of interest thing with Viney coaching his son.

Didn't seem to effect Lindsay Gaze coaching Andrew to two premierships with Tigers in the NBL.

Neil Craig, Mark Neeld, Neale Daniher, Neil Balme. We've got to stop kneeling and stand up.

We need a coach who has climbed the mountain & won a flag!

Development of players must be evident!

A coach who has fire in the belly!

Williams- 3 of 3

Roos- 2 of 3

Eade- 2 of 3

Craig- 1 of 3

Only Willams & Eade have shown real fire in the belly & this job will take 6+ yrs! & Williams has done all 3

Both Craig & Roos have said no interest in coaching & I think we need to move on from Craig with all due respect to him.

Port Adelaide were flaky for years under Williams. Adelaide were probably underperforming for the last couple of years under Neil Craig. Both were sacked, so they obviously ran out of steam at their clubs. The difference is that Craig is familiar with our club, and can make the hard calls immediately.

I'm sure Mark Williams is doing a great job as an assistant, but so did Mark Neeld.

Port finished minor premiers a couple of years in a row, couldn't win a final, then won the lot. This during a time when possibly the greatest team ever was up and about in the Brisbane Lions. Can't remember who but someone made the point last week the year Port was flogged in the GF by the Cats that 'Williams has coached the players beyond their capabiltys' . It terms of talent/star players Cats were miles ahead. After the Lions lost their fourth attempt they started drifting south on the ladder. Leigh Mathews had taken his list as far as he could and didn't want to stay for the list turnover, Port also needed a new voice. As we know there can only be one winner and now it's harder with 18 clubs. I think you're right about Eade, but Williams has the runs on the board. As we know he is having a huge influence at Richmond as he did at GWS. If not Roos then we should get Choco.

To say that Roos has been out of football is incorrect. He has been running the Swans football academy since he stepped down as coach. He may not be an assistant currently but the principles of footy will never change, game styles & tactics which can be adaptable however will.

For me - Roos, then Williams, then Eade and Craig about as attractive as each other.

Roos we may not get but Williams is very gettable and he has shown with his career path after PA that he loves to throw himself around and into challenges and the GWS were very impressed with his ability (crazy Sheedy is hard to work with however).

Coached a flag, has dealt with an incredibly young list for a few years at GWS, and is currently a development coach with another young team in the Tigers.

He would be ideal if Roos doesn't want to come.

If we got Williams then what would happen to Neil Craig who still has a year to run on his contract? Apparently they don't get along from the Adelaide days?

For me - Roos, then Williams, then Eade and Craig about as attractive as each other.

I'm the same.

Has to be one of these four, for me. Not interested in Matthews or Knights or Worsfold or Ratten.

Would be more interested in Craig's suitability for heading up the whole football department

I want Williams - or Roos (but I think that's wish thinking more than a real chance).

That said, I really think they should do everything to keep Craig at the club in some capacity. He's too good and experienced to let him go, particularly for a club like ours.

At Least we won't go through that teething year were a coach needs to analyse the list before cutting player. Craig already know's what we need for success.

It seems he would fit in must better then the other candidate but I would still prefer some on else.