The game against Brisbane was the first time this season we have played a side twice.

Gives agood comparison with 2 different coaches utilising alternate game styles.

Round 5 +/-

Disposals -100

Cont. poss -31

Inside 50's -16

Clearances -9

Centre clearances -11

Round 17 +/-

Disposals -48

Cont. poss -13

Inside 50 -6

Clearances +4

Centre clearance Even

What a marketable differnece. Our disposal difference has improved by 50% and we actually came out in front in clearances.

Bravo Neil Craig! Your position as senior coach of The MFC is getting stronger each day.

is that a reflection of how well craig is coaching, or how bad Neeld really was? hard to say

Whatever it is,the games are easy to watch. Will be good if we win. I don't get panic attacks during the game after Craig took over.

For me, when the game has finished, I no longer get that 'I've just been kicked in the guts' feeling.

It took several days to go away.

I like what craig has done but i would like to see Choco as coach next year with craig to slot back into his role that he was doing before Neeld got sacked

I'm not necessarily against Craig getting the job, but I think the stats since he took over more show how far off the mark Neeld's plan was.

I'm not necessarily against Craig getting the job, but I think the stats since he took over more show how far off the mark Neeld's plan was.

Whilst I agree that it has a bit to do with game plan, I think it's the fact that the players have responded better to Craig than Neeld.

Read the majority of the articles including the one on Fitzpatrick yesterday for evidence.

Game plan aside, Neeld was strangling their enthusiasm for the contest whereas Craig is giving them the confidence to attack it.

That's the real stat that matters - as immeasurable as it is.

Edited July 24, 201311 yr by McQueen

Beamer was BOG in Round 5 and didn't play in Round 17 so those clearance stats are skewed.

Beamer was BOG in Round 5 and didn't play in Round 17 so those clearance stats are skewed.

Plus the conditions.

Oh yeah, we're killing it under Craig.

Got a stat for 'Western Star?'

Oh yeah, we're killing it under Craig.

Got a stat for 'Western Star?'

At least the players are enjoying their footy again.

Oh yeah, we're killing it under Craig.

Got a stat for 'Western Star?'

Come on jumbo, we can't expect to be dominating games over night. Steady improvement is something at least.

I think Mark Neeld stole your soul and hope

its quite heartening to see the players slog it out and keep trying even though they are still losing. Bodes well for when a new permanent coach comes on board. I believe Craig has done enough in his caretaker role to make himself a serious contender. Sructures and game plans need time and at the tail end of a horrible season are not the main priority. Going back to basics without major distractions so everyone can catch their breath and clear their heads. The only flaw I can pick him out for so far is the tactical error of fielding a top heavy side at Geelong. But that had a lot to do with the vagaries of unexpected inclement weather.

Edited July 24, 201311 yr by america de cali

Beamer was BOG in Round 5 and didn't play in Round 17 so those clearance stats are skewed.

He would've struggled on the weekend as Jamar wasn't playing to slam it down his throat.......

Oh yeah, we're killing it under Craig.

Got a stat for 'Western Star?'

No-one is saying we are 'killing it.'

Objective reality says we have improved.

You can dismiss reality if you want to.

But you would be tilting at windmills.

Whilst I agree that it has a bit to do with game plan, I think it's the fact that the players have responded better to Craig than Neeld.

Read the majority of the articles including the one on Fitzpatrick yesterday for evidence.

Game plan aside, Neeld was strangling their enthusiasm for the contest whereas Craig is giving them the confidence to attack it.

That's the real stat that matters - as immeasurable as it is.

Your quote, "strangling their enthusiasm" is spot on and the main difference. The game plan is not markedly different, it is just that the players are beginning to spread from a contest with enthusiasm believing that they will make a play. It always appeared that Mark Neeld was so focused on defending opposition movement he forgot to inspire our boys to go for it when we had the ball. Watts, Trengove, Sylvia, now Fitzpatrick have all hinted at the same thing: Craig wants them to have a go and enjoy their footy and I admire that approach immensely.

The above stats are a glaring difference, but I reckon they are the cart, and enthusiasm/confidence is the horse, not the other way around.

Oh yeah, we're killing it under Craig.

Got a stat for 'Western Star?'

With due respect, you have previously stated that if Neeld's tenure was poor, Craig's tenure has been a "disaster", implying that Craig has been worse than Neeld. With that as your starting point, how can you be expected to be taken seriously on this subject? Perhaps you're a Neeld defender sticking to your guns, I'm not sure, but jesus man, open your eyes.

Edited July 25, 201311 yr by P_Man

While I don't think the stats differential from one game has any statistical merit, the way the game is being played does. We're now a poorly performing AFL team. Previously we weren't playing a standard that was worthy of even being in the AFL competition.

I like what craig has done but i would like to see Choco as coach next year with craig to slot back into his role that he was doing before Neeld got sacked

For the life of me. can't understand the fascination with Williams. His last few years at Port were poor, his time at GWS forgettable to the point they looked past him and went with an untried.

I'm confident the panel will make the best choice once the selection process is completed, but from the outside, I'm impressed with what Craig has done so far to correct the ship. And Eade has a record of achievement as well.

For the life of me. can't understand the fascination with Williams. His last few years at Port were poor, his time at GWS forgettable to the point they looked past him and went with an untried.

I'm confident the panel will make the best choice once the selection process is completed, but from the outside, I'm impressed with what Craig has done so far to correct the ship. And Eade has a record of achievement as well.

Everyone thinks that Ross is THE coach to get.

And yet, another bloke won a flag the year before Roos won his, the bloke you are talking down.

Eade has a very good record, but he didn't win a flag.

For the life of me. can't understand the fascination with Williams. His last few years at Port were poor, his time at GWS forgettable to the point they looked past him and went with an untried.

I don't know how much truth there is this, if any at all. He resigned at GWS citing family reasons. It was Sheedy who was granted the one year extension just prior to him leaving and now the succession plan is in place. I seriously doubt it would have been a clear choice of Cameron over Williams, and if it was, I'd put that decision down to Sheeds influence, whose judgement at this stage is iffy at best.

It's also worth noting that the Giants have not won a single game since Williams left, in fact things have nosedived in pretty spectacular fashion. They were looking alright at certain stages last year with Williams guiding the young players.

I don't know how much truth there is this, if any at all. He resigned at GWS citing family reasons. It was Sheedy who was granted the one year extension just prior to him leaving and now the succession plan is in place. I seriously doubt it would have been a clear choice of Cameron over Williams, and if it was, I'd put that decision down to Sheeds influence, whose judgement at this stage is iffy at best.

It's also worth noting that the Giants have not won a single game since Williams left, in fact things have nosedived in pretty spectacular fashion. They were looking alright at certain stages last year with Williams guiding the young players.

That last bit is very true. This season the Richmond young guns have really come on too which can be directed at least in part to Williams influence. This has been pretty well documented in the media. I for one would love to have Williams. If it's not Roos, for me it's Williams or Craig with Rocket behind these two.

Quote ironic that this topic is about statistical measurements, yet the correlation to these changes is solely to the coach.

Here are a few different factors involved that combine to make up those statistics.

The players on the park

The players on the park for our opposition

Our actual opposition

The temperature

The weather

The ground we play at

The injuries occurring during the game

But no, you must be right, Neil Craig is the only factor for those statistical changes.

Here a stat for you for 2013.

Neeld as coach - Wins - 1.

Craig as coach - Wins - 1.

Thats all that matters, and thats all that should matter. Don't care how many clearances, disposals. Wins is all that matters.

Quote ironic that this topic is about statistical measurements, yet the correlation to these changes is solely to the coach.

Here are a few different factors involved that combine to make up those statistics.

The players on the park

The players on the park for our opposition

Our actual opposition

The temperature

The weather

The ground we play at

The injuries occurring during the game

But no, you must be right, Neil Craig is the only factor for those statistical changes.

Here a stat for you for 2013.

Neeld as coach - Wins - 1.

Craig as coach - Wins - 1.

Thats all that matters, and thats all that should matter. Don't care how many clearances, disposals. Wins is all that matters.

That's an ironic sentiment of misleading stats as you brought up the number of wins without mentioning that Neeld had 11 games for his one win and Craig 5.

We are all very smitten with winning. It's quite important.

But so is form, and many are just pointing out how it has changed for the better.

There is no need to be snarky or imply that posters don't care about winning because there are improvements to be seen in a loss.

A positive article about NC's impact

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-24/jack-finally-fitz-in