1. what have we learnt this year?

[JohnK]

Neil Craig has won the coaches' choice for Coach of the Year.

Does this means that the AFC made the right decision last season to appoint Neil Craig?

At the time, our only choices were Wallace, Eade or Craig.

Wallace walked out of the negotiations because, he said, he did not want to be in a competitive situation. Either Adelaide wanted him or they did not. Subsequently, Wallace has taken Richmond from 16th to 12th.

Eade was still in the race. AFC chose Craig over Eade and suffered bad press in the sense that this was seen as an inside job. A job for the boys. Eade was given unfair presentation, or so the conspirators on these boards and some of the less qualified members of the media allege.

Subsequentially, Eade has taken the Western Bulldogs from 14th to 9th.

Neil Craig was appointed coach and won 18 games out of 24, lifting Adelaide from 12th last year to 4th this year.

Were some members of the press and some members of this board equally wrong for claiming that his appointment was a conspiracy of invested interests?

Not appointing Wallace was a no-brainer. No club in the universe needed such a self-rewarding coach. Except Richmond. And I ask all those viewing this to resist an easy chuckle at that poor team's expense.

But here is the serious question.

Is there anyone on this board who still claims that Eade would have been a better apppointment?

I want a serious answer.

None of this crapola about process. Jobs for the boys. Inside job. All that media-generated Advertiser Rucci conspiracy nonsense.

One simple question.
Did Adelaide get the best coach available?

[GoSarge]

Who knows ?

Neil Craig loves the club which is more than can be said for either Wallett or Eade, I dont think they would have loved the AFC in the same way that Craig does. Craig also, worked on the 'team' theme aswell, played a few players who we questioned at times, (Bock at CHB anyone ?) and also went with the relatively unknown players such as Doughty, Skipworth and Shirley.

These players may or may not have got as much game time under the other 2 coaches.

Couple this with the fact that we worked hard on our skills over Summer as opposed to being flogged with loads of running work saw us become a lot more skilled side and it seems we benfitted from that on-field. Having said all that, he also got out coached at times by some of the tactical masters of the game, but you could probably mark this down to his inexperience, something he will be better for next year and will learn from.

It could be argued that Eade and Wallett are better coaches and could have done 'just aswell', but I think we have done pretty well with Craig.

In answer to your question, did we get the best coach available ? I would answer 'No', because at the time, I dont think he was the best available coach. If you ask me now, I would probably answer 'Possibly'.

[cro_Magnum]

Did we get the best "overall" coach in terms of team preparation, game plan, fitness regimens, player management, respect and loyalty of the playing group, injury management,vision for the club, love of the club?
Yes with a few exceptions such as management of Watts and Ladhams (seem to be undisclosed issues with the latter so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt), upgrading of rookie Smith to take up a valuable spot (we all knew that was wrong) and defensive accountability in the midfield (which ultimately cost us).

Did we get the best match day coach? I doubt it as the response on the field was a bit slow at times (not as slow as Ayres though). He did surround himself with good assistants however, perhaps realising that this was not his strength, but this didn't always work (eg taking Clarke off in the last 1/4 of the PF because thats what we always do!).

Overall you've got to be happy we got the best man. I think he's one to acknowledge his mistakes and learn from them and that has to be a plus.

[- PC -]

Is there anyone on this board who still claims that Eade would have been a better apppointment?

I cant. I do think NCs challenges are ahead of him whereas Eades are behind him. I think Adelaide will come back to the pack 4-7th as NC invests some time into the newer players . NC admitted as such that he didnt do it right in regards to this. Eade, meanwhile played his kids from the start..sometimes thats the only dice you have to roll.

But in saying NCs challenges are ahead of him , I am confident he has the trust in not only his coaching staff but also his players. He will know who he wants at the club and who he doesnt.Expect to see some deadwood cut off.

Neil Craig has the base for a good team, he has the players working to his structure and he CAN introduce players without having it all break down on him.

[- PC -]

Did Adelaide get the best coach available?That can only be answered on GF day and whichever one holds the cup up first.

But I am happy with the choice made

[JohnK]

Who knows ?

Neil Craig loves the club which is more than can be said for either Wallett or Eade, I dont think they would have loved the AFC in the same way that Craig does. Craig also, worked on the 'team' theme aswell, played a few players who we questioned at times, (Bock at CHB anyone ?) and also went with the relatively unknown players such as Doughty, Skipworth and Shirley.

These players may or may not have got as much game time under the other 2 coaches.

Couple this with the fact that we worked hard on our skills over Summer as opposed to being flogged with loads of running work saw us become a lot more skilled side and it seems we benfitted from that on-field. Having said all that, he also got out coached at times by some of the tactical masters of the game, but you could probably mark this down to his inexperience, something he will be better for next year and will learn from.

It could be argued that Eade and Wallett are better coaches and could have done 'just aswell', but I think we have done pretty well with Craig.

In answer to your question, did we get the best coach available ? I would answer 'No', because at the time, I dont think he was the best available coach. If you ask me now, I would probably answer 'Possibly'.


Thank you for your argued response, GoSarge, but you leave it on an amibiguous note.
I am only asking you now. You leave the question open.
Possibly, you say.
Who could have been better for Adelaide in your view – Eade or Wallace? Or do you think that Rhen may have done a better job. He put his hat in the ring for a couple of minutes. Would you have preferred him to Craig, or was there someone else in your radar at the time?

[A gift from above]

John i would just like to welcome you back to the board and let you know how much i've missed you. :thumbsu:

[A gift from above]

That can only be answered on GF day and whichever one holds the cup up first.

But I am happy with the choice made

thats a stupid statement considering the different stage the lists are at. The question can be answered in ten yrs time, probably five actually.

[A gift from above]

i am surprised that cro_mag and gosarge thought this as 90% of ppl will go hes fantastic, but he was definitely outcoached on occasions and directly by Eade once, but more importantly in the finals. I know no one would of thought it at the start of the yr, but it was one of those yrs and we had the squad to win it this yr. Good coaches are almost always the ones who make the right decisions quickly and craig has been found wanting.

The mismanagement of watts shouldnt be completely dismissed either, perhaps he was always going who knows but a couple of games to keep him here wouldnt of hurt. We lose in the long run now.

John_k i would say that your 'piece' or this is more a post i suppose, is rather slanted against terry wallace, has he done something personally against you that offended you? I say this cause you demean him especially about the 'process' and his unwillingness to participate in it, which was quite reasonable, then at the end you say this isnt about the process at all. You also say going from 16th to 12th is no great achievement, but when you consider the circumstances and the situation of his list, it was a very good effort. There are a few other contradictory statements too not related to wallace.

The answer to your question is all three have done well this yr and we will never know what the other two could of done here, so theres little point in worrying about it. I would think you would know this however. In 5-10yrs when they've all had their lists through the highs and lows their records can be judged.

[birdmanptr]

i am surprised that cro_mag and gosarge thought this as 90% of ppl will go hes fantastic, but he was definitely outcoached on occasions and directly by Eade once, but more importantly in the finals. I know no one would of thought it at the start of the yr, but it was one of those yrs and we had the squad to win it this yr. Good coaches are almost always the ones who make the right decisions quickly and craig has been found wanting.

The mismanagement of watts shouldnt be completely dismissed either, perhaps he was always going who knows but a couple of games to keep him here wouldnt of hurt. We lose in the long run now.

John_k i would say that your 'piece' or this is more a post i suppose, is rather slanted against terry wallace, has he done something personally against you that offended you? I say this cause you demean him especially about the 'process' and his unwillingness to participate in it, which was quite reasonable, then at the end you say this isnt about the process at all. You also say going from 16th to 12th is no great achievement, but when you consider the circumstances and the situation of his list, it was a very good effort. There are a few other contradictory statements too not related to wallace.

The answer to your question is all three have done well this yr and we will never know what the other two could of done here, so theres little point in worrying about it. I would think you would know this however. In 5-10yrs when they've all had their lists through the highs and lows their records can be judged.

Good point i would hope Craigy would be in the job for 5 years+His real test will come when we have some bad times even if we go through bad times as long as there is light at the end of the tunnel he will be supported.

[Crow-mosone]

[B] But here is the serious question.

Is there anyone on this board who still claims that Eade would have been a better apppointment?

I want a serious answer.


John,

why do you claim to know the answer to this? I think we are happy with the job Neil Craig has done, and most of us freely admit has done a much better job than expected.

However Rodney Eade has done a damned fine job at the doggies, and I can't see any basis for suggesting that he could not have done an equally impressive job with us.

Nor can I see any basis for your hackneyed criticism of Terry Wallace.

[just maybe]

I think Eade could have done a similar job, but in a different manner as his strengths lie in different areas.

Remember, Eade also has a good record with youngsters - he has done a great job at the Bulldogs.

[- PC -]

thats a stupid statement considering the different stage the lists are at. The question can be answered in ten yrs time, probably five actually.
So your quite happy for a coach not to win a flag? As long as the list is getting developed? Is your name Chris Connolly? Any coaches value can be assessed by one of 2 ways... what success he has and how he leaves his list.

Whoever holds the cup up first in my book will be the better coach

[Markthirtytwo]

So your quite happy for a coach not to win a flag? As long as the list is getting developed? Is your name Chris Connolly? Any coaches value can be assessed by one of 2 ways... what success he has and how he leaves his list.

Whoever holds the cup up first in my book will be the better coach


Shes just happy critisizing NC for the sake of it. Dont take her too seriously.

[jmorg1]

Well, now that we're talking about coaches, it has just become apparent to me why Mr. Wallace did not want to come to Adelaide. I mean just have a look at the amount of money his making through his media work. I don't think he'd be even close to getting that kind of supplemental income to his coaching if he was in Adelaide.

It's all about the money for Wallace.

[baaaallllll]

As it stands I would answer "yes" we made the right choice but I reserve the right to change my mind this time next year. :)

[Markthirtytwo]

Firstly I dont know or care if JohnK does have a bone to pick with Wallace, it was a reasonable question IMO.

Wallace wasnt interested in coming to Adelaide cause he never wanted to leave Melbourne. So he wasnt even in the running therefore I wouldnt even be bothered answering that one.

Eade, I was a bit suspisious about because of his Sydney dramas, his explosive blasts at the quarter breaks. We didnt need that again. Combined with his ultra devensive approaches, I didnt want him here. But he has proved that he has learnt from those days and good on him for it. But he didnt have any other choice but to play his youngsters and while he has done a fine job this year, the proof will be in the pudding next year and the year after if they can recapture that free flowing game they produced this year.
Only time will tell. Having said that, let me say this, in hindsight, his new approach if had used it on our list, would we have produced the goods, I say yes and therefore think he could have done just a good a job as NC, if the new Eade had turned up. But no if the old one arrived.

Like everyone else I didnt like the process of the appointment of NC but what a magnificent job he has done this year. The players want to play for him (and therein lies 50% of the reason for our climb up the ladder this year IMO.
Hell they even like going to training due to the different drills and plays he sets for them.

Again like Eade he will have to produce the goods the next couple of years and I believe he has the 'challenge' to do it. Can you tell me if any of the other coaches have their players rate their coaches face to face without the prospect of it being detrimental to their futures for saying so? I dont.
Apparently this was done last week with the players annual review and apparently a few spoke their minds about his coaching. Thats refreshing. But he is the type of person to take in onboard and realise where he and the other coaches made errors.

Therefore he was the right person for the job, no ifs, not watts :p , no maybes.

[drakeyv2]

I think they got it right.

Neil Craig, I think, has proven in the last 18 months that he was the best available candidate at the time for OUR club. Whatever the strengths of the other coaches available at the time, it is hard to imagine them having a more positive effect on the club that Craig's appointment has had.

What Eade & Wallace have achieved with Richmond & the Bulldogs in the same time is irrelevant. Different clubs, different lists, different draws. You're not comparing apples with apples. I would be very surprised if all three clubs aren’t happy with their choice.

As for the famous "process", as flawed as it seemed at the time, credit must be given for getting it right. If you judge Trigg, Reid, Sanders & co by the results of the decisions they make, as you should, then you must give them credit for getting the coaching position right. Is a decision making process flawed if it comes up with the right decisions?

[Wood_Duck]

As a coaching package Craig has done a fantastic job. Fitness, discipline, injuries, strength etc. are second to none in the league. Craigys downside is his match day coaching. He was outcoached on several occassions this year. I would love to see an assistant of the calibre of Jonas next to him.

[afc9798]

As a coaching package Craig has done a fantastic job. Fitness, discipline, injuries, strength etc. are second to none in the league. Craigys downside is his match day coaching. He was outcoached on several occassions this year. I would love to see an assistant of the calibre of Jonas next to him. Good point. I agree that Craigy is the goods in all depts. except perhaps the match day coaching. He would definitely benefit from a Jonas, O'Donnell type person next to him.

As for the others, Wallace was never a realistic option, he just used us to push his cart with Richmond. Eade would have been interesting as his match day tactics are very good, but the rest is where the concern lies.

Time will tell, but for mine, I think the club got it right and should be congratulated for having the balls to make what they knew to be a very unpopular decision in appointing Craig. I'm prepared to wager that the club's decision will be the right one in the long term. I do think, however, that the early success may be a burden to him initially as it may stifle his drive to play younger, untried players, which we definitely need to do in order to prevent the Watts type scenarios occuring.

[SpringChoke]

Good point. I agree that Craigy is the goods in all depts. except perhaps the match day coaching. He would definitely benefit from a Jonas, O'Donnell type person next to him.

As for the others, Wallace was never a realistic option, he just used us to push his cart with Richmond. Eade would have been interesting as his match day tactics are very good, but the rest is where the concern lies.

Time will tell, but for mine, I think the club got it right and should be congratulated for having the balls to make what they knew to be a very unpopular decision in appointing Craig. I'm prepared to wager that the club's decision will be the right one in the long term. I do think, however, that the early success may be a burden to him initially as it may stifle his drive to play younger, untried players, which we definitely need to do in order to prevent the Watts type scenarios occuring.

So dp you think NC is partly to blame for watts returning home.

Out of the 3 it was a no brainer for me. Eade had already knocked us back in the past so didn't deserve another opportunity IMO and I think Terry Wallets is overrated. As Sarge said, the biggie for me is that Craig obviously loves the club and I wanted to see a coach who was prepared to be a round for the long haul rather than just 3-4 years.

[Kane McGoodwin]

No doubt Craig had done a great job as coach.

As to whether Eade or Wallace would have done a better job, is anyones guess.

Right now, I'm more than happy that Craig is at the helm.

[Axl_Rose]

now who wants to tell me the lesson we learnt last night??? dont put twinkys on your pizza

[Capitalist]

Sorry off topic a bit but

Is it possible that we didn’t play him because thet knew he wanted out?

I release that in itself that would gain critiscm as we haven’t bumped up his trade value by playing him but (however be haven’t decreased it either )
NC has shown that if you are not commited to the club you aren’t going to get a game – so fergus was excluded

This is just another side of NC we probably don’t see – he want’s to make changes to the fabric of AFC if that means a few uncommited players leaving so be it

That is why NC was by far the better choice than Wallace and Eade – they are career coachs looking to make a quick buck –NC is a AFC man looking to make a powerful club and a strong club culture

I think we will see if NC was the right choice in 5 years or so not after 1

[macca23]

No doubt Craig had done a great job as coach.

As to whether Eade or Wallace would have done a better job, is anyones guess.

Right now, I'm more than happy that Craig is at the helm.



NC is a AFC man looking to make a powerful club and a strong club culture

I think we will see if NC was the right choice in 5 years or so not after 1

The above sums it up for me.

Very happy with Craig and I like the broader goals he has set for the club as well.

We'll never know if he was the best choice, however. That's purely theoretical.

[afc9798]

So dp you think NC is partly to blame for watts returning home.

Out of the 3 it was a no brainer for me. Eade had already knocked us back in the past so didn't deserve another opportunity IMO and I think Terry Wallets is overrated. As Sarge said, the biggie for me is that Craig obviously loves the club and I wanted to see a coach who was prepared to be a round for the long haul rather than just 3-4 years. I do think he is partly to blame, but I also support his decision not to change a winning formula. If you're going well and the season unfolds like it did, we would all be caning him for not taking advantage of the situation. I still get the feeling that Watts may have been on his way regardless of his game time. He knows he would be given plenty of game time if he stayed, so that almost becomes an irrelevant point.

[Stiffy_18]

So dp you think NC is partly to blame for watts returning home.
No because Fergus made up his mind to go back home as far back as the pre-season. Playing him wouldn't have made any difference. Stay tuned because over the next few months everything will come out. This has been an uphill battle for a while now. Playing him wouldn't have changed his mind.

Back on topic.

I think we need to be a bit careful about how we analyze this. What Adelaide needed was a coach who would stick around for a fair while. Craig has what it takes to do that IMHO. Wallace would jupm the ship at the first opporunity he gets for more money just like he did with WB. I think Eade would have been a good choice as well.

I didn't like Wallace to start with and I expressed my concerns about him at the very beginning. I think he is a bit over-rated and somewhat limited with his recruiting. It doesn't look like he has learnt anything in that department. He is a coach obsessed with hard running, ball carrying midfielders and in his time with WB he hasn't REALLY recruited KPP when he had the chance to do that. He always went with midfielders. Not a great drafter/trader.

Rocket is one of the best match day coaches going around. His trick is fairly simple but very effective. He loves moving his players around to create a mismatch. He also strikes me as the sort of coach whose message wears thin after a while. If you make a mistake, you spend time on the pine. I think we had enough of that in the Ayres years.

Craigy is a different breed of coaches though. He thinks outside the square and he empowers his players. If players make mistakes, they get more encouragement rather than getting benched. This season suggests that we got the right man for the job. There is no question that Craigy has had a lot of luck along the way this year. Minimal injuries, close games going his way, players stepping up. His challenge will come when the going gets tough. I think he is the sort of person that thrives on the challenge and I think he will take it head on.

Craigy is still very inexperienced in coaching caper. I do think he will get better as he gets more experienced. He strikes me as the sort of individual that takes the criticism as a feedback rather than a bagging. He will look at it, see what he can improve on and then he will improve in that area. Craigy is a perfectionist and he always wants to improve. He is looking at ways to get better.

He asked players for honest feed back on how they saw his year as a coach and where he can improve. They gave him an honest assesment on what he needs to improve on and I think he will improve in those areas. Last time a player did that to a coach at our club, he got relegated to SANFL and finished his illostrious career mid way through the year.

I think we got the right man for the job. He truly is passionate about our club and the thing I like most about him is that its not about Neil Craig but its about the AFC. He will always take a blame for a loss but never takes the credit for wins.

I think the similarities between Neil Craig and Paul Roos as coaches are striking. Both are classy individuals who have similar phylosophies on football and its all about the team. These 2 are coaches I rate extremely highly.

[SpringChoke]

Sorry off topic a bit but

Is it possible that we didn’t play him because thet knew he wanted out?

I release that in itself that would gain critiscm as we haven’t bumped up his trade value by playing him but (however be haven’t decreased it either )
NC has shown that if you are not commited to the club you aren’t going to get a game – so fergus was excluded

This is just another side of NC we probably don’t see – he want’s to make changes to the fabric of AFC if that means a few uncommited players leaving so be it
That is why NC was by far the better choice than Wallace and Eade – they are career coachs looking to make a quick buck –NC is a AFC man looking to make a powerful club and a strong club culture

I think we will see if NC was the right choice in 5 years or so not after 1

This could be the case but we'll never really know. I have a feeling it may have been though. If a young interstater isn't prepared to sign a contract and is seen to be moping around the club then it would probably indicate he is a fair chance of going home.

[dyertribe]

As for the famous "process", as flawed as it seemed at the time, credit must be given for getting it right. If you judge Trigg, Reid, Sanders & co by the results of the decisions they make, as you should, then you must give them credit for getting the coaching position right. Is a decision making process flawed if it comes up with the right decisions?

I appreciate the point you're making, but whether we had actually won the flag or Craigy had fallen on his arse this year the process was still flawed and terribly inconsistent for such a professional organisation and a decision of that magnitude.

It looks to have come off now sure, and the well-trodden warpath that got such a working over at the time is now overgrown and in need of a good mow, but I tell ya, on more than one occasion this year Triggy must've looked to the heavens and said a silent thankyou.

[Bockchoy67]

No because Fergus made up his mind to go back home as far back as the pre-season. Playing him wouldn't have made any difference. Stay tuned because over the next few months everything will come out. This has been an uphill battle for a while now. Playing him wouldn't have changed his mind.

Back on topic.

I think we need to be a bit careful about how we analyze this. What Adelaide needed was a coach who would stick around for a fair while. Craig has what it takes to do that IMHO. Wallace would jupm the ship at the first opporunity he gets for more money just like he did with WB. I think Eade would have been a good choice as well.

I didn't like Wallace to start with and I expressed my concerns about him at the very beginning. I think he is a bit over-rated and somewhat limited with his recruiting. It doesn't look like he has learnt anything in that department. He is a coach obsessed with hard running, ball carrying midfielders and in his time with WB he hasn't REALLY recruited KPP when he had the chance to do that. He always went with midfielders. Not a great drafter/trader.

Rocket is one of the best match day coaches going around. His trick is fairly simple but very effective. He loves moving his players around to create a mismatch. He also strikes me as the sort of coach whose message wears thin after a while. If you make a mistake, you spend time on the pine. I think we had enough of that in the Ayres years.

Craigy is a different breed of coaches though. He thinks outside the square and he empowers his players. If players make mistakes, they get more encouragement rather than getting benched. This season suggests that we got the right man for the job. There is no question that Craigy has had a lot of luck along the way this year. Minimal injuries, close games going his way, players stepping up. His challenge will come when the going gets tough. I think he is the sort of person that thrives on the challenge and I think he will take it head on.

Craigy is still very inexperienced in coaching caper. I do think he will get better as he gets more experienced. He strikes me as the sort of individual that takes the criticism as a feedback rather than a bagging. He will look at it, see what he can improve on and then he will improve in that area. Craigy is a perfectionist and he always wants to improve. He is looking at ways to get better.

He asked players for honest feed back on how they saw his year as a coach and where he can improve. They gave him an honest assesment on what he needs to improve on and I think he will improve in those areas. Last time a player did that to a coach at our club, he got relegated to SANFL and finished his illostrious career mid way through the year.

I think we got the right man for the job. He truly is passionate about our club and the thing I like most about him is that its not about Neil Craig but its about the AFC. He will always take a blame for a loss but never takes the credit for wins.

I think the similarities between Neil Craig and Paul Roos as coaches are striking. Both are classy individuals who have similar phylosophies on football and its all about the team. These 2 are coaches I rate extremely highly.

http://www.maurafay.com.au/workshops/workshops_images/clapping.jpg

[Crow-mosone]

I appreciate the point you're making, but whether we had actually won the flag or Craigy had fallen on his arse this year the process was still flawed and terribly inconsistent for such a professional organisation and a decision of that magnitude.


exactly right. as despite what JohnK might like to suggest about BF posters and less qualified journalists there were enough question marks over eade's presentation that the club felt the need to issue a statement about it. So it was not all sugar and light.

However, NC has done a great job and we've all eaten our words. Fantastic!
there is no doubt that it's looking good at the moment.

However we, and John in particular, should not forget that Stan Alves was coach of the year in 1997.

[A gift from above]

So your quite happy for a coach not to win a flag? As long as the list is getting developed? Is your name Chris Connolly? Any coaches value can be assessed by one of 2 ways... what success he has and how he leaves his list.

Whoever holds the cup up first in my book will be the better coach

no i didnt say this, you said that which ever coach holds up the cup first will be the best, considering where each list is at this is stupid thing to say.

In terms of list development for this yr is was in order of most to least, Adelaide, bulldogs, Richmond and they finished in that order. NC may of had his chance this yr and may need to rebuild very soon.

Eade has a fantastic list filled with early picks, but he didnt even hold the expectation of making the finals at the halfway mark of the season simply cause of where they are at. This doesnt make him a bad coach, he just knows where they are at. Wallace is still to get 1-2 yrs of lowish picks to build a reasonable squad, something the bulldogs have already had.

[A gift from above]

Shes just happy critisizing NC for the sake of it. Dont take her too seriously.

yep great sense of the humor.

[SpringChoke]

I cant. I do think NCs challenges are ahead of him whereas Eades are behind him. I think Adelaide will come back to the pack 4-7th as NC invests some time into the newer players . NC admitted as such that he didnt do it right in regards to this. Eade, meanwhile played his kids from the start..sometimes thats the only dice you have to roll.

But in saying NCs challenges are ahead of him , I am confident he has the trust in not only his coaching staff but also his players. He will know who he wants at the club and who he doesnt.Expect to see some deadwood cut off.

Neil Craig has the base for a good team, he has the players working to his structure and he CAN introduce players without having it all break down on him.

Why do you think Eades challenges are behind him PC? If anyhting, I think 2006 will be tougher for him than this year. I think some are getting carried away with the Bulldogs late season form. It will be interesting to see whether they can sustain it over 22 weeks in '06 with what is, IMO, a very average spine.

As far as the kids go, if Craigy doesn'y give them QUALITY time from round 1 next year then we are going nowhere.

[SpringChoke]

Well, now that we're talking about coaches, it has just become apparent to me why Mr. Wallace did not want to come to Adelaide. I mean just have a look at the amount of money his making through his media work. I don't think he'd be even close to getting that kind of supplemental income to his coaching if he was in Adelaide.
It's all about the money for Wallace.

Rubbish. If you can get a gig on Simply Footy every week you get $50 and a McDonalds voucher.

[SpringChoke]

http://www.maurafay.com.au/workshops/workshops_images/clapping.jpg


What's that Skip, Stiffy's got the clap.

[- PC -]

Why do you think Eades challenges are behind him PC? .
More in relation to NC. NC hasnt had to face his injury crisis like Eade did with Darcy...well not till very late and even then he had he got lucky with Clarke. I think Eade had to roll the dice in relation to the kids and has come out not too bad... NC , as you say , HAS to get more game time into the newer breed in Knights, Jericho,Maric and Van Berlo... will he do this even at the cost of a slide down the ladder?

[Markthirtytwo]

yep great sense of the humor.


Wasnt trying to be funny, show me where Im wrong.

[- PC -]

What's that Skip, Stiffy's got the clap.
Nothing worse than a stiffy with the clap

[SpringChoke]

More in relation to NC. NC hasnt had to face his injury crisis like Eade did with Darcy...well not till very late and even then he had he got lucky with Clarke. I think Eade had to roll the dice in relation to the kids and has come out not too bad... NC , as you say , HAS to get more game time into the newer breed in Knights, Jericho,Maric and Van Berlo... will he do this even at the cost of a slide down the ladder?

I hope so or we could be hitting an almighty brick wall in 2-3 years time.