Neil Craig leaving football

[DaveyDee 421]

Would just like to wish ex-MFC Head of Footy Neil Craig all the best. He was an absolute gentleman at his time with the Dees. Always gave up his time for a quick chat and was always 100% interested in you. Was more than happy to share his knowledge and I loved this bloke. Thank-you Neil

[Guest]

I think his selflessness after Neeld's sacking was immense. The horse had bolted and the best he could achieve was to insure the place didn't self immolate. 

He took the job on when he was given no guarantees he would have a shot at the job full time, let alone a job under a new regime. He stayed regardless even though he knew his win/loss record was going to take a considerable whack.

He probably should have been more forceful with Neeld to save him from himself. That was a sticky situation and I can understand why he kept his distance (though history didn't vindicate that stance).

At the end of the day, he conducted himself with the utmost dignity in 2013 and deserves our praise for it.

[jnrmac 20,203]

Judging from the outside I was extremely disappointed that a guy who was hired to 'oversee' a first time coach in essence let him virtually destroy the place. I only spoke to him a couple of times and he seemed loathe to impose himself on neeld. Maybe that was trying to give a new coach his own 'space' , maybe he didnt understand the role or maybe he was there to act as a sounding board and Neeld never sought his advice.

Now that is a harsh call given I don't know the ins and outs but no-one during that time covered themselves in glory. 

 

[chook fowler 19,608]

A Real gentleman and always very polite and willing to engage with fans. Will be a loss to the game. Well done Neil.

[praha 11,240]

17 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Judging from the outside I was extremely disappointed that a guy who was hired to 'oversee' a first time coach in essence let him virtually destroy the place. I only spoke to him a couple of times and he seemed loathe to impose himself on neeld. Maybe that was trying to give a new coach his own 'space' , maybe he didnt understand the role or maybe he was there to act as a sounding board and Neeld never sought his advice.

Now that is a harsh call given I don't know the ins and outs but no-one during that time covered themselves in glory. 

 

I think that given what he reportedly experienced in his later years at the Crows, he went in a different direction because he knew how tough micromanaging can be on a coach especially a new one. Problem was he didnt appear to find a middle ground and you ended up with Neeld who was in over his head. The entire department was a wreck, which we all know too well. Craig may not have been the cause but he was part of the problem, albeit perhaps unintentionally.

[Sir Why You Little 37,220]

Neil Craig is a great bloke, but i could never work out what he was doing at The MFC. 

Did he watch in silence as Neeld crucified himself or did he make a difference?

i hope Neil writes a book about his time in Football

[Mach5 4,768]

Short memories.

Nice bloke, polite; fiddled while Rome burned.

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,084]

Ahh yes Legendary Melbourne coach Neil Craig

[Guest]

52 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Neil Craig is a great bloke, but i could never work out what he was doing at The MFC. 

Did he watch in silence as Neeld crucified himself or did he make a difference?

i hope Neil writes a book about his time in Football

I think at the presser that announced him as interim coach, he said that he could have been a bit more forceful but that's always easy to say in hindsight. 

I remember the Hun once said Neeld had to be counseled about his treatment of some players around the end of 2012. I wonder if Craigy was called on to do that thankless task?