The Neil Craig 4 Coach Thread

[praha 10,368]

It seems to me like Craig has an agenda. Maybe a good one. But he wants the job. You can see the sparkle in his eye. Maybe he's got something to prove.

I am not going overboard and expecting Roos or Williams to want the job. Anyone as deep as Ayres would be a genuine contender because the club would dare not go down the inexperience route again. I'd laugh at the club if it did go with Ayres, but there are plenty of experienced contenders around, and I am not picking another Bailey or Neeld, of two such extremes from one another that they somehow met when the team put in two of its worst performances in 40 years under their guidance. Only can the Melbourne FC rip a hole in the coach sphere continuum and see one attacking coach and one defensive coach meet equally at the center of downright ineptness. Gee whiz it boggles the mind.

Edited June 23, 2013 by Cudi_420

[rpfc 27,646]

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

He said in his first presser as coach that he doesn't want to do that. It's more of an administrative role and the one we promised him was not that.

If Roos or Williams come in I am not going to be happy if we simply pay him out. Make him a Development coach (he would be great) and if he doesn't want to do it - he doesn't want to do it.

[Guest Wolf]

I'd like to see Neil Craig get the job if the team lifts for the remainder of the season. Or, if he doesn't get the nod, he should at least fulfil his contractual commitments rather than being payed. If Paul Roos is not successfully recruited, then other top candidates that are not widely talked about in this forum include Malcolm Blight as he's proven and is doing some great mentoring now at the Gold Coast; and Gary Ayers, given he's a premiership player, coached at AFL level for about a decade and recently had great coaching success at VFL level.

[Chook 14,616]

If Neil Craig doesn't get the job and is moved on from the club, does anyone think there might be some way for him to be used in some sort of advisory role during the drafting/trading period?

Because one of the big problems facing 1st year coaches is that they simply don't know their players well enough to make educated decisions on their careers, and consequently are usually unwilling or unable to get rid of / keep the correct players. Having the kind of insight Neil Craig could provide might be a real help in this area.

It's probably too impractical, but it would be useful to have him there through the trading + drafting periods, regardless of what happens afterward.

[Weedster 174]

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.

You can mount solid arguments for each of these guys - they are all way in front of the past 2 appointments. We are in reasonable shape to get a quality coach - if that turns out to be Neil Craig, I will be happy

[old55 21,646]

Craig is tarnished by his association with Neeld. If he'd gone to say Richmond instead of joining us he'd be right up there in everyone's calculations for an experienced coach. He had a good record at the Crows but they were flat-track bulllies who couldn't deliver in the crunch. I'd favour others.

He might be interested but then again he might not - I think it was a smart move saying that he could be because it keeps the players on their toes because he's not confirmed as a placeholder.

[rpfc 27,646]

Craig is tarnished by his association with Neeld. If he'd gone to say Richmond instead of joining us he'd be right up there in everyone's calculations for an experienced coach. He had a good record at the Crows but they were flat-track bulllies who couldn't deliver in the crunch. I'd favour others.

He might be interested but then again he might not - I think it was a smart move saying that he could be because it keeps the players on their toes because he's not confirmed as a placeholder.

Yes, the worst thing he could have done is say he isn't interested in the job or for Jackson to tell him he has no chance.

To me, he is the coach until we advise him otherwise, I hope the players see it that way too.

Edited June 24, 2013 by rpfc

[Lordweaver 235]

Craigy, Neeldy, Bailey, Eadey, Roosy, Balmey..what they have in common is a y at the end, unlike danniher or Williams...I rest my case

[dees189227 11,016]

No, look I think we need someone new and fresh from the outside. Remember this was the guy who came in to work with neeld. The same coach that put Adelaide off side and his team were happy to see him go.

Nup someone with new idea. But it would be handy if he stayed on doing something.

[Geddy Lee 582]

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.

God I'm sick of disapproving this. Williams was an excellent coach between 2001-04; three minor premierships and a premiership. You don't know what flaky is.

[What 18,810]

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

He dosent want that job, said so himself.

Neil Craig should be the head of player development. Its the area that has killed us for so long, and he would be the perfect guy for it.

[DemonOX 8,551]

If Neil Craig doesn't get the job and is moved on from the club, does anyone think there might be some way for him to be used in some sort of advisory role during the drafting/trading period?

Because one of the big problems facing 1st year coaches is that they simply don't know their players well enough to make educated decisions on their careers, and consequently are usually unwilling or unable to get rid of / keep the correct players. Having the kind of insight Neil Craig could provide might be a real help in this area.

It's probably too impractical, but it would be useful to have him there through the trading + drafting periods, regardless of what happens afterward.

Didn't NC advise the dees to recruit Sellar?

Not sure if the draft/recruiting area would be a good idea Chook.

[dtrinh 71]

Paul Roos should definitely be the number one choice if possible. Sydney are the team they are and have been the team they are because of Roos. He has created a culture down there which Longmire has only had to continue on with. They're not a team of a superstars... Goodes since his brownlow hasn't been as prominent, o'keefe, jack, mcveigh, bolton are all solid players but aren't superstars. He knows how to develop culture, build a footy team and knows how to make the team play for each other.

Williams would probably be the second best option. Apart from that not sure if eade or craig would be great. I think the team would also be stronger with better assistant coaches. I think that rawlings is the one that should stay, not sure about brown or royal. If we could bring in the likes of Ling to take over our midfield, rawlings to stay and if craig doesn't get the head coach position him as forward line coach I think that would provide our club with a strong coaching team to take us into the future. It provides not only coaching prowess but also leadership and ability to develop, teach and coach players which will help with our development. Royal has been in our system for a long time and not sure what he brings to the table. I'm sad we lost wellman to essendon, he seemed to have made our backline the strongest it's been.

[dazzledavey36 49,373]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2013-06-24/mitch-clisby-jumper-presentation

Impressive

[Binmans PA 26,510]

Craig is tarnished by his association with Neeld. If he'd gone to say Richmond instead of joining us he'd be right up there in everyone's calculations for an experienced coach. He had a good record at the Crows but they were flat-track bulllies who couldn't deliver in the crunch. I'd favour others.

He might be interested but then again he might not - I think it was a smart move saying that he could be because it keeps the players on their toes because he's not confirmed as a placeholder.

Yeah, I mentioned this the other day. I wouldn't be surprised if this was part of his 'conversation' with Jackson. There's no perceived dead chook sitting in the coaches chair.

[Northern Summer 292]

I completely agree that Neil Craig would be the most suitable coach. The man has dignity, respect and an enormous amount of passion. Like other posters have said, I think he's positioning himself nicely because by coming out and claiming he has an interest in the gig now, it will simply lead to more media scrutiny that is necessary.

Ok, Neil Craig's last couple of years in Adelaide weren't great. However, people forget in 2005 and 2006 the Crows were pretty much flag favourite up until the end of those home-and-away seasons until a massive number of injuries hit in 'both' seasons. It was gutsy of the Crows to win the Round 22 game against Melbourne in 2006 (which actually cost us a Top 4 birth) when they were missing almost 1/2 their top line side. His winning record is something like 54%!!

The way Neil Craig conducted himself in the media conference, I believe, shows that he knows what he's up for. People criticise Neil Craig for praising Neeld's legacy or what-not - Neil Craig is very thoughtful when he speaks in public and actually given consideration with what comes out of his mouth. It would look poor form if he was to criticise or bag Neeld - like Neeld himself has done many times with the Bailey regime.

I guess we will never know how much influence Neil Craig has on Neeld, although judging from Saturday night's game plan and the perceived feel around the club since Neeld's axing, I do get the feeling Neil Craig took a very hands-off role and simply stuck to individual performance, and let Neeld do the coaching. Neeld seemed the type that wouldn't have welcomed feedback from others in an other than 'passing way' too well. .

I do, however, believe Neil Craig is only a 5-6 year-max option as coach. I think the way he goes about his coaching and is relatively intensive - that being said, I think after too much of a long time, players would tire a bit of him. However, same would arguably also be said with other experienced coaches being considered. This wouldn't be an issue if we anointed a younger coach/s to work under him with the long-term of handing over the reigns. I think Neil Craig would be very open to that too as I don't believe he would want to coach beyond this period.

Furthermore, the next 11 weeks will be a lot more relevant and worthwhile if our interim coach was to remain head coach. He already knows our list well, is aware of each player's specific strengths/weaknesses and capacity for improvement. To bring a new coach in, this will take I would think at least a season for a coach to get a good feel of his list.

That being said, I can't see Neil Craig being appointed senior coach next season unless we can win at least say 3 remaining matches, and be 'very competitive' in the other matches. Most important is that players start improving and begin to enjoy their footy again.

In regards to the other likely candidates, while I appreciate each has their own benefits, below I have listed what I see as their negatives. . however. . as strange as it may sound, I think there are just too many positives with Neil Craig to let him slip by. .

Paul Roos

- Needs to be begged to take the role - can see it being similar to Blight as St Kilda (although I think Roos has a little bit more dignity than Blight)

- Likely to demand a much greater salary than other candidates.

- Been out of the game for a while

Rodney Eade

- Never coached a flag in 14 years coaching

- Question marks over his defensive game plan

- Looks very 'desperate' to keep in the system

Mark Williams

- Very strong personality, likely to divide certain people (whether that be coaches or players)

- Would likely have to change our entire football department because I can't see Williams working with anyone that might challenge him

[dazzledavey36 49,373]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/old-rivals-mark-williams-and-neil-craig-in-battle-to-revive-the-demons/story-fni2u98u-1226667074261

[rpfc 27,646]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/old-rivals-mark-williams-and-neil-craig-in-battle-to-revive-the-demons/story-fni2u98u-1226667074261

What a pair of blowhards those two are.

That wasn't a 'weighing of the pro's and con's of Williams and Craig' that was a bitter regurgitation of why the tenures of those two ended at the Adelaide clubs.

Williams is insecure, Craig is too trusting. Boo-hoo. They now can't coach.

Nevermind they won football games.

[alias275 259]

Port Adelaide were flaky for years under Williams. Adelaide were probably underperforming for the last couple of years under Neil Craig. Both were sacked,

Neil Craig was never sacked. He stepped down.

The AFL already came out and said they had Roo's as number one candidate and were in talks, though I honestly think Roo's isn't the coach for us. He took on a pretty good list at Sydney and hasn't done anything since.

We will soon see what NC can do with the last 10 weeks he has as interim coach, but I honestly feel Alastair Clarkson is the best man for the job and seeing he wants to stay at Hawthorn, Chocco is our only other option.

[Ted Lasso 17,130]

id prefer eade to williams, craig and roos, bloke has built two lists into top 4 teams, develops players well and has experience to burn

[chookrat 3,794]

Neil Craig was never sacked. He stepped down.

The AFL already came out and said they had Roo's as number one candidate and were in talks, though I honestly think Roo's isn't the coach for us. He took on a pretty good list at Sydney and hasn't done anything since.

We will soon see what NC can do with the last 10 weeks he has as interim coach, but I honestly feel Alastair Clarkson is the best man for the job and seeing he wants to stay at Hawthorn, Chocco is our only other option.

What if Craig coached this year and next year, focussing on team development, to hand over to Clarkson at the end of 2014?

[Generation dee 1,336]

When Neil Craig took over at the crows in 2004, he had rucciuto, Edwards, McLeod, Goodwin, stenglein and Thompson. Macleod and roo were getting towards the end of their careers and he had a raft of players who seemed to be stifled by Gary ayres and sitting in a "in between" phase of their careers. Players like mattner, hentschel, bock, rutten, johncock and Doughty who all took the next step under Craig's tutorage. I feel Craig developed a team who were underachieving and made them play accountable, tough footy with a strong emphasis on teamwork, commitment and defence, however that team also scored quite heavily.

I think he would be a great teacher and developer of our current list, much the same how he developed the crows. He may have learnt more since his time out of the game. Especially in regards to finals. He is a clear pick behind roos, and I think he could suit the club better than Williams. Williams has that zany wacky character, however he is smart and quite cunning when it comes to motivation. I do think he will upset players and make them question themselves however. Craig is a great confidence booster and that is my reasoning that he should be our first preference, alongside roos.

[alias275 259]

With Western Bulldogs this weekend then Sydney, Geelong, Brisbane, North, GWS, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Western Bulldogs again to come, I think if NC can get 3 or 4 winnable games and even 1 upset, they may really consider him taking over permanently.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

With Western Bulldogs this weekend then Sydney, Geelong, Brisbane, North, GWS, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Western Bulldogs again to come, I think if NC can get 3 or 4 winnable games and even 1 upset, they may really consider him taking over permanently.

Have you been watching the MFC games?

I would love to say the MFC would win all these games but it simple does not have the players at a basic AFL standard to win games.

But time will tell which one is right, I am hoping its you.

[CBDees 3,162]

Didn't NC advise the dees to recruit Sellar?

Not sure if the draft/recruiting area would be a good idea Chook.

Although I am writing this from New York, wasn't Sellar one of the best for Casey last weekend? (And didn't he kick multiple goals in one of our rare wins for the year during the NAB Cup?)