Could Craigy win us a flag?

[CROW36]

I hope I'm not being over dramatic here, but are most of our injuries stress related, which could be due to the amount of extra work load that Craigy demands of his players.I know some of them are just bad luck but it seems we either get a lot of injuries preseason or heading towards the big stage and what makes it worse that a few of those injuries weren't diagnosed for a while (Bock VB Knights) and they keep telling us that are rare.Comments would be appreciated.

 

[-CG-]

According to Phil Harper only Maric's recent injury could have been from 'overuse'.

 

[footy4ever]

Every club has had the same sort of injuries as the crows, but I think we've probably been the unluckiest club for injuries/illness in finals. 2005 2006 could easily have been back to back flags again if not for injuries (IIRC), and last year - how important would have bock and knights and VB been to us vs Collingwood?

Having a crap run with injuries, but it is pure folly to put the blame on N. Craig. (M Rucci you tosspot, you need to read this).

 

[cmndstab]

He probably could, yes.

 

[DavidSaywell]

He must have broken a mirror or run over a black cat this year.

 

[birdmanptr]

Well its that big little word IF

If we can keep players out of the first aid room then yes but if the shoking run with injuries continue then no

2006 was the best example we were looking ok then 1 by 1 injury/illness stuffed us up.

We clearly have a super list one of the best but getting them out on the park and keeping them out there is the key

 

[amer]

Most of our players have put in the bulk of the pre season track work, it's mainly match fitness that's required. Get close to our best kit up for the run home and we will be in good shape. Craigy can win us a flag, yes.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Having a crap run with injuries, but it is pure folly to put the blame on N. Craig. (M Rucci you tosspot, you need to read this).

Not necessarily.

Its important to recognize that not every injury is a matter of luck. It is possible for poor practices to cause injury.

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

Not necessarily.

Its important to recognize that not every injury is a matter of luck. It is possible for poor practices to cause injury.

This The club needs to re-assess their injury management.

 

[noddy]

I think he could "but" luck (yes you need a bit of it at the right time) & injuries to key players would have a large say in it.

Would be interesting to see a chart of pre-season injuries we have suffered say with in the last ten years.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

.....

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

According to Phil Harper only Maric's recent injury could have been from 'overuse'.

I'm surprised I would have expected Phil to come out and say something like- "it is possible that our extra hard training program is partly or mostly to blame for our current predicament. Its not like we don't have a precedent. Our 2006 finals campaign was effectively ruined due to a bad run of injury which seemed to coincide with an increase in workload on the track. Maybe we need to rethink our practises. Maybe something we did in 1997 may not work in 2010."

 

[Tambaran]

If it happens repeatedly, it's not luck. It requires serious investigation and reassessment.

 

[CROW36]

I'm surprised I would have expected Phil to come out and say something like- "it is possible that our extra hard training program is partly or mostly to blame for our current predicament. Its not like we don't have a precedent. Our 2006 finals campaign was effectively ruined due to a bad run of injury which seemed to coincide with an increase in workload on the track. Maybe we need to rethink our practises. Maybe something we did in 1997 may not work in 2010."

I agree its a different ball game today if you can put enough pressure on the ball carrier and tackle properly (there I say it) like port did to both the crows and eagles there is no reason why you cant derail any side in the comp providing you attack as well. I think the type of game plain that Craigy is trying to implement will come unstuck because to handle the ball that much you either got to be so skilled at it or you will have turnover after turnover.

 

[Alex99]

Of course he can but if he does is a different story.

if anyone categorically says NO can you please PM me next week’s lotto numbers as you must be able to product the ****ing future.

 

[footy4ever]

The club needs to re-assess their injury management.

Not necessarily.

Its important to recognize that not every injury is a matter of luck. It is possible for poor practices to cause injury.

Well in that case every club needs to re-assess their player management. I can't see any evidence pointing to anything. There has been, apparently, only one injury that can be put down to repetitive practice. You just can't help injuries from knocks and bumps...which according to the coaching staff make up the majority of ours.

I think this hysteria will calm down when Vince plays the first round with bock controlling the play and Porps kicking a lazy 4-5 goals to add to Tippett's 5.

 

[amer]

Well in that case every club needs to re-assess their player management. I can't see any evidence pointing to anything. There has been, apparently, only one injury that can be put down to repetitive practice. You just can't help injuries from knocks and bumps...which according to the coaching staff make up the majority of ours.

I think this hysteria will calm down when Vince plays the first round with bock controlling the play and Porps kicking a lazy 4-5 goals to add to Tippett's 5.

The other thing is our slow start has undersold the ability of some of the blokes who will get a go early in the season. Petrenko, Walker, Cook, Sloane, these are talented players who I doubt will disgrace us when the H&A gets here. It's not as if our options in line after losing 4 from our best 22 are D. Gallagher, D. Gallagher, F. Deluca and D. Gallagher.

 

[footy4ever]

The other thing is our slow start has undersold the ability of some of the blokes who will get a go early in the season. Petrenko, Walker, Cook, Sloane, these are talented players who I doubt will disgrace us when the H&A gets here. It's not as if our options in line after losing 4 from our best 22 are D. Gallagher, D. Gallagher, F. Deluca and D. Gallagher.

Ha ha ha. I actually laughed out loud.

 

[noddy]

The other thing is our slow start has undersold the ability of some of the blokes who will get a go early in the season. Petrenko, Walker, Cook, Sloane, these are talented players who I doubt will disgrace us when the H&A gets here. It's not as if our options in line after losing 4 from our best 22 are D. Gallagher, D. Gallagher, F. Deluca and D. Gallagher.

I had high hopes for David Gallagher & thought that we never ever saw the best of him.

But then again i also thought that Ben Marsh would be a world beater in the ruck.

 

[Cap]

I guess Craigy could?

in answer to the OP.

 

[PCORF]

For sure he can win us a flag.

But its up to the players to know how to close out important games and I'm not confident at all when the games are close.

Because another awful loss to Collingwood may loom in 7 months. And this time it may be a home preliminary final. This team needs to be ready if they are to face their bogey side in September again and can't think back to the past. Its not gonna get us anywhere for a long time.

 

[Firewalker]

I find this question interesting and also it's one that's popped up now for nearly the last 3 seasons, of course you can't answer it nobody can, he could win 1,2,3 maybe 4 hopefully , for example if somebody would've said Mark Thompson would be a two time premiership coach 4 seasons ago many wouldn't of believed you but you would've said at least it was possible.

On the flipside though you can ask another question, What if Neil Craig doesn't win a flag with the Crows? and say in 2013 or whenever he got the sack, how would we look back on that period of 8 1/2 years that Craig coached us? You can then judge whether his stint as coach was one of severe anti-climax due to what on many occasions promised so much but by the end of things did not deliver the ultimate goal.

But all of thats guess work we'll just have to wait for things to fold out with the teams performances and also with Craig's contract over the next few years.

 

[Macjoe]

The AFL team known as the the AFC, or the Crows, could win the AFL premiership in the next few years. Then, in addition to crediting the players and their back-ups who actually won the matches that led to the premiership the fans of the club could give credit to others.

For example, the recruiting staff who chose the players to represent the AFC. The fitness staff who prepared the players, the recovery teams who assisted the players cope with the injuries and niggles they willingly copped every match they played, and the others working behind the scenes to ensure the preparation, nutrition, technology, admin and anything else an AFL organisation needs to be successful is working well.

And, credit should be given to Neil Craig and his coaching staff. To some extent, the coaching staff do contribute to the success.

Some supporters believe that the coaches are the only aspect of a footy club that matters. If the Crows win a flag, those supporters will give some credit to the coach, and most credit to themselves for allowing that coach to coach. Of course, if the club doesn't complete that 1/16 chance (give or take a level playing field, and soon to be 1/18) those supporters also make the coach totally responsible. SACK NC!

Other supporters (including lil' ol' me) think that a combination of a good list, good coaching, good preparation and good luck is what occasionally produces a premiership. If your club wins flags more often than pure chance on a level field dictates, you are doing well. If it doesn't, review all the issues, including the coaching staff.

But the prize is worth striving for, and the effort, even if not rewarded with first prize, still can reward the hopes and dreams of players, coaches and supporters.


Except those who make the success of the AFC vicariously responsible for the entire happiness of their lives, and narrowly define success as a flag.

 

[Crow-mo]

is that your version of the creed?

 

[Macjoe]

I guess it is.

I enjoyed watching Power's win. Thought Westhoff played well.