Funloving Craig Targeted Again

[WaynesWorld19]

My coaching not for everyone, Craig says
February 21, 2008 - 6:37PM

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has begged politely to differ with ex-Crow Scott Welsh's view that Craig's is not a club that makes AFL football fun for its players.

Welsh skipped town to join the Western Bulldogs in the off-season and has publicly stated his preference for the coaching style of Rodney Eade, which he believes allows more room for individual flair.
Retiring club captain Mark Ricciuto said at the end of 2007 that the Crows' coaching staff had a task ahead of them to "get a little more enjoyment back into it", but Craig denied there was a fun shortage at West Lakes.

Instead, he stated that Adelaide is not a club for all footballers, something several of the players moved on over the summer, including new Carlton flanker Darren Pfeiffer, would agree with.

"Our environment's not for everyone, we don't make out it is for everyone," Craig said.

"I read some information about (NFL club) the New England Patriots, and some of the players outside their club have admiration and respect for it but a lot of players say we wouldn't want to go there, so we don't sit here and expect our environment to be for every player in the competition.

"I hope (Welsh) has gone to an environment that he enjoys, and if he finds it more fun I think that's fantastic, and I hope he has success at the Bulldogs because he has made a big decision."

On the subject of fun, Craig said it was up to the players to tell him, and the media, if they did not think there was enough enjoyment being had by all, and he also suggested that 2007 had been a difficult one for many because it was the first of his three seasons to be severely tested by adverse circumstances through injury.

Unlike 2005 and 2006 where the Crows made a fast start and were quickly entrenched in the top four, 2007 saw a constant slog to stay in touch with finals contention.

"That was a tough season for us last year, in comparison to the two before," Craig said.

"I've got a lot of feedback over the last three years and no different at the end of last year, if I expect players to receive feedback from each other and from coaches, I'm in the same boat.

"There's an assumption it's not fun, I'm not sure that assumption is correct, I think the best thing you guys need to do is don't ask me, ask the players."

I thought Craig responded beautifully to this ascertion from Welsh.

Every club has its own culture .....and no it doesn't suit every player ....same as not every workplace environment doesn't suit every individual.

For those players looking to maximize their potential in a "professional" sports environment Adelaide is a great club ......and I for one am very happy where Craig is positioning us

I can see Van Berlo, Tippett, Moran, Dangerfield, Otten, Maric & Griffen all flourishing in Neils hard task environment.

I can also see where Johncock and more recently Sellar would be personalities that may struggle in that environment.

On the subject of flair being curtailed in players ..........has the Birdman had his flair curtailed by Craig? ........does Bock not play with flair

I'd suggest you can play with flair within the team structure ....and I'm OK with that as it reflects the direction of most professional sporting cultures.

 

[Footy_Punk]

I wouldnt be suprised if by "not having fun" Welsh meant that he couldnt go out and get pissed with his mates all the time.

As a melbourne, crows supporter i dont get all the news on the players like you SA guys do, but i heard he has a reputation for being a bit of a party boy and has been in trouble with the club in the past.

I wonder if moving back to his home town of Melbourne is going to help this or not.....?

 

[MickyCrow]

I wouldnt be suprised if by "not having fun" Welsh meant that he couldnt go out and get pissed with his mates all the time.

As a melbourne, crows supporter i dont get all the news on the players like you SA guys do, but i heard he has a reputation for being a bit of a party boy and has been in trouble with the club in the past.

I wonder if moving back to his home town of Melbourne is going to help this or not.....?

Adelaide is his home town dude

 

[Crow-mo]

On the subject of flair being curtailed in players ..........has the Birdman had his flair curtailed by Craig? ........

yes, rather obviously!

 

[Dogga79]

I thought Craig responded beautifully to this ascertion from Welsh.

Every club has its own culture .....and no it doesn't suit every player ....same as not every workplace environment doesn't suit every individual.

For those players looking to maximize their potential in a "professional" sports environment Adelaide is a great club ......and I for one am very happy where Craig is positioning us

I can see Van Berlo, Tippett, Moran, Dangerfield, Otten, Maric & Griffen all flourishing in Neils hard task environment.

I can also see where Johncock and more recently Sellar would be personalities that may struggle in that environment.

On the subject of flair being curtailed in players ..........has the Birdman had his flair curtailed by Craig? ........does Bock not play with flair

I'd suggest you can play with flair within the team structure ....and I'm OK with that as it reflects the direction of most professional sporting cultures.

Rucci throughout the entire interview kept looking for an angle or an idea for his next opinion piece extravaganza in the tiser. NC handled it masterfully.

I too, am glad that NC is creating a professional environment that maximises ability. The more you put in the more you will get out. The players with a strong work ethic will benefit the most. If it means we have to shed some players so we can move forward, then I applaud him. You mentioned each club has different cultures. I don't mind if our club is known for being tough, hard and professional.

Anyway it looks like we are going to be playing with a much more free flowing attacking style of footy this year so it is Welsh that is missing out.

 

[Dogga79]

yes, rather obviously!

Unless you are being sarcastic I think he plays with plenty of flair. Remember he has been struggling with injuries up until this season for a long time. That would have clipped his wings more than anything.

 

[Ticktak]

Rucci throughout the entire interview kept looking for an angle or an idea for his next opinion piece extravaganza in the tiser. NC handled it masterfully.

Agree. Why can't NC just rip into Rucci like some other coaches do and then ban him from any interviews? The Advertiser could still get their interviews from Capel. It would be hillarious to see Rucci do the turtle.

Rucci would still be able to write his same crap and allow press conferences to flow with questions of interest. Surely soon enough the Advertiser would have to employee someone else as their chief football writer.

Does anyone know if the Crows could do this? I really just want to read interesting articles and listen to interesting questions. Surely football deserves this.

 

[crowsup]

yes, rather obviously!

I would like to know what players and supporters mean by 'Playing with Flair'.
Would a player that complains he is not allowed to play with flair means to say:- I'm not allowed to run to the left instead of the right. Or, I'm not allowed to kick for goal from 60 meters just because I can only kick 40 meters max. Or (the one I like best) " I tried the impossible and it came off once. So why shouldn't I try it again. I know the last 12 times I tried it I messed it up. So What?? It looks really good when it comes off!"
Do all you supporters that think like Rucci, and believe that NC stops players from playing with 'Flair', really believe that it would be better if the club allowed 18 players to do their own thing on match day?

I tell you what I think flair is. Flair is being able to do extraordinary things on a regular basis. Knowing when you can do it and when you shouldn't attempt it. Flair is being able to take the ball from a back pocket and run with it the length of the field, deliver it with precision to your attack or score a goal yourself, a la BUNJI, and not, tuck the ball under your arm run with it for 20 odd meters and get caught holding the ball 4 out of 5 times, a la Mattner.

Now, I don't think NC stopped McLeod's natural flair at any time, but, I'm sure he tried to curb Mattner's 'flair' after the first 2-3 seasons.

Now, I cannot prove any of the above, but I'll be happy to read any comments to the contrary.

 

[Dogga79]

Agree. Why can't NC just rip into Rucci like some other coaches do and then ban him from any interviews? The Advertiser could still get their interviews from Capel. It would be hillarious to see Rucci do the turtle.

Rucci would still be able to write his same crap and allow press conferences to flow with questions of interest. Surely soon enough the Advertiser would have to employee someone else as their chief football writer.

Does anyone know if the Crows could do this? I really just want to read interesting articles and listen to interesting questions. Surely football deserves this.

But that would put him even more on the outer and making his articles even less informed than before.
Let him be, everyone can see through Rucci's opinion piece journalism.

 

[Ticktak]

But that would put him even more on the outer and making his articles even less informed than before.
Let him be, everyone can see through Rucci's opinion piece journalism.

Exactly my point.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I would like to know what players and supporters mean by 'Playing with Flair'.
Would a player that complains he is not allowed to play with flair means to say:- I'm not allowed to run to the left instead of the right. Or, I'm not allowed to kick for goal from 60 meters just because I can only kick 40 meters max. Or (the one I like best) " I tried the impossible and it came off once. So why shouldn't I try it again. I know the last 12 times I tried it I messed it up. So What?? It looks really good when it comes off!"
Do all you supporters that think like Rucci, and believe that NC stops players from playing with 'Flair', really believe that it would be better if the club allowed 18 players to do their own thing on match day?

I tell you what I think flair is. Flair is being able to do extraordinary things on a regular basis. Knowing when you can do it and when you shouldn't attempt it. Flair is being able to take the ball from a back pocket and run with it the length of the field, deliver it with precision to your attack or score a goal yourself, a la BUNJI, and not, tuck the ball under your arm run with it for 20 odd meters and get caught holding the ball 4 out of 5 times, a la Mattner.

Now, I don't think NC stopped McLeod's natural flair at any time, but, I'm sure he tried to curb Mattner's 'flair' after the first 2-3 seasons.

Now, I cannot prove any of the above, but I'll be happy to read any comments to the contrary.

Good post. I read something from Ric Charlesworth where he defined flair as being superior rehearsed skill rather than a spontaneous flash of brilliance. I reckon this definition would be right up Craig's alley.

For what it's worth, I think the "stifling" or no-fun atmosphere tends to come in when players are second guessing themselves. Ie their instincts and natural game is telling them to do one thing, the coach is telling them to do another.

The coach has to weigh up whether any improvement that player may show by following new instructions is off-set by them having to go away from what is natural and comfortable and what they do best. Is the cure worse than the disease? A good example might be when we were trying to get Brett James to kick the footy more later in his career rather than always give off a handball. Did it make him a better player?

Another example is the Richo Rule - where he isn't allowed to play on in the forward fifty after taking a mark. Has this rule improved his goal kicking percentage? I doubt it very much. Yes, he doesn't have the occasional embarrassing holding-the-ball after a mark in the goal square which everyone remembers but he has plenty of sprayed set shots. I'd back him more with a quick snap or on the run.

 

[Crow-mo]

Unless you are being sarcastic I think he plays with plenty of flair. Remember he has been struggling with injuries up until this season for a long time. That would have clipped his wings more than anything.

nonsense. he plays a much more focused and restrained role now, to what he did previously.

that's obvious. what i didn't say was whether it was for the betterment or now, but its so clear that he is under instruction.

 

[Crow-mo]

I would like to know what players and supporters mean by 'Playing with Flair'.
Would a player that complains he is not allowed to play with flair means to say:- I'm not allowed to run to the left instead of the right. Or, I'm not allowed to kick for goal from 60 meters just because I can only kick 40 meters max. Or (the one I like best) " I tried the impossible and it came off once. So why shouldn't I try it again. I know the last 12 times I tried it I messed it up. So What?? It looks really good when it comes off!"
Do all you supporters that think like Rucci, and believe that NC stops players from playing with 'Flair', really believe that it would be better if the club allowed 18 players to do their own thing on match day?

I tell you what I think flair is. Flair is being able to do extraordinary things on a regular basis. Knowing when you can do it and when you shouldn't attempt it. Flair is being able to take the ball from a back pocket and run with it the length of the field, deliver it with precision to your attack or score a goal yourself, a la BUNJI, and not, tuck the ball under your arm run with it for 20 odd meters and get caught holding the ball 4 out of 5 times, a la Mattner.

Now, I don't think NC stopped McLeod's natural flair at any time, but, I'm sure he tried to curb Mattner's 'flair' after the first 2-3 seasons.

Now, I cannot prove any of the above, but I'll be happy to read any comments to the contrary.

now that's all very valid. I don't agree with your definitions but no one can say you've not put forward your POV well.

for me, flair is the freedom to express yourself, play with instinct, to do what comes naturally. by all means argue if this is a good or bad thing, but that's what it is to me.

 

[Crow-mo]

Good post. I read something from Ric Charlesworth where he defined flair as being superior rehearsed skill rather than a spontaneous flash of brilliance. I reckon this definition would be right up Craig's alley.

For what it's worth, I think the "stifling" or no-fun atmosphere tends to come in when players are second guessing themselves. Ie their instincts and natural game is telling them to do one thing, the coach is telling them to do another.

The coach has to weigh up whether any improvement that player may show by following new instructions is off-set by them having to go away from what is natural and comfortable and what they do best. Is the cure worse than the disease? A good example might be when we were trying to get Brett James to kick the footy more later in his career rather than always give off a handball. Did it make him a better player?

Another example is the Richo Rule - where he isn't allowed to play on in the forward fifty after taking a mark. Has this rule improved his goal kicking percentage? I doubt it very much. Yes, he doesn't have the occasional embarrassing holding-the-ball after a mark in the goal square which everyone remembers but he has plenty of sprayed set shots. I'd back him more with a quick snap or on the run.

that's an even better post. there is a natural economy or trade off to flair versus team sets.

I certainly think you coukld argue that Craig feels team structure is more important, but I don't think you could argue that he doesn't seem to encourage players to freestyle or play with their natural flair.

personally I am of the cure worse than disease camp.

 

[Deaneus!]

But that would put him even more on the outer and making his articles even less informed than before.

...how is that even possible?

 

[jenny61_99]

nonsense. he plays a much more focused and restrained role now, to what he did previously.

that's obvious. what i didn't say was whether it was for the betterment or now, but its so clear that he is under instruction.

Do you really think so? It appears to me that he is just as selfish as he always was, and but for his wings being clipped due to injury/age, he still plays with flair. Not as easy to do up forward as on the wing granted (ala Dubai match) but he still goes for the spekky if it's there. How do you feel he's under instructions? (ie. an example)

 

[crowsup]

Do you really think so? It appears to me that he is just as selfish as he always was, and but for his wings being clipped due to injury/age, he still plays with flair. Not as easy to do up forward as on the wing granted (ala Dubai match) but he still goes for the spekky if it's there. How do you feel he's under instructions? (ie. an example)

I tend to agree with you , Jenni. I don't think that NC stops any player from playing with flair, including Burton. But lets be honest, how many times in the last 3 seasons have you cringed at some of the things that Burton tried. I have lost count.

CS's point about the Richo' rule is also valid but IMO, Richo's rule applies to Richo because he was trying to run on even from 15 meters in front of the goals were even with his kicking inaccuracy, could not miss. It would have been very hard to specify a maximum distance from goals where he was not allowed to play on from. Hence the 50 meter range.

I do not believe that any coach would stop players from playing with flair if the player in question succeeds more often than not. Even Matthews has not tried to curb Brennan's 'Flair'. Now That deserves CURBING, IMHO.

 

[WheresGroomgone]

Always interesting to what a drama unfold...Welsh leaves and then says that there was a lack of fun at AFC, however, if the dour fun police had offered him two years of no fun he would have stayed, but one year just wasn't enough makes sense?

 

[johnnypanther]

Always interesting to what a drama unfold...Welsh leaves and then says that there was a lack of fun at AFC, however, if the dour fun police had offered him two years of no fun he would have stayed, but one year just wasn't enough makes sense?

very well said


Quote:
Originally Posted by crowsup
Do all you supporters that think like Rucci, and believe that NC stops players from playing with 'Flair', really believe that it would be better if the club allowed 18 players to do their own thing on match day?

I tell you what I think flair is. Flair is being able to do extraordinary things on a regular basis. Knowing when you can do it and when you shouldn't attempt it. Flair is being able to take the ball from a back pocket and run with it the length of the field, deliver it with precision to your attack or score a goal yourself, a la BUNJI, and not, tuck the ball under your arm run with it for 20 odd meters and get caught holding the ball 4 out of 5 times, a la Mattner.

Now, I don't think NC stopped McLeod's natural flair at any time, but, I'm sure he tried to curb Mattner's 'flair' after the first 2-3 seasons. Quote:

and i believe furthermore that Mattner was encouraged to tuck and run, however, he just did not have any peripheral vision or awareness to be able to carry it out successfully and consequently kept getting caught holding the ball.

All coaches have a structure and team rules - IMO i'll accept whatever is necessary in order to win a premiership (even if that meant watching 25 scrappy boring matches providing we won)

 

[jenny61_99]

Always interesting to what a drama unfold...Welsh leaves and then says that there was a lack of fun at AFC, however, if the dour fun police had offered him two years of no fun he would have stayed, but one year just wasn't enough makes sense?

Brilliantly said!

 

[Crow-mo]

I tend to agree with you , Jenni. I don't think that NC stops any player from playing with flair, including Burton. But lets be honest, how many times in the last 3 seasons have you cringed at some of the things that Burton tried. I have lost count.

CS's point about the Richo' rule is also valid but IMO, Richo's rule applies to Richo because he was trying to run on even from 15 meters in front of the goals were even with his kicking inaccuracy, could not miss. It would have been very hard to specify a maximum distance from goals where he was not allowed to play on from. Hence the 50 meter range.

I do not believe that any coach would stop players from playing with flair if the player in question succeeds more often than not. Even Matthews has not tried to curb Brennan's 'Flair'. Now That deserves CURBING, IMHO.

I think you're contradicting yourself over and over in that post.

 

[Southerntakeover]

This is wrong.

Craig is quite the scoundrel... why just yeserday we left a flaming bag on a certain journalists doorstep.

 

[boffo]

new coach for Welsh = honeymoon period.

Plus he probably has hurt feelings that we didn't really try to keep him, and he's now where he feels appreciated.


Good luck to him, except against us.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Pfft, Welsh is a lazy prick who didnt like the fact that Craig wanted him to actually train and play, rather than his usual play two games and take the next one off for 'soreness'.

 

[kirky]

Is it no coincidence that both Hudson and Welsh went to a club bereft of success. Doesn't that say something? Think about it.

Both players like to have a real good time and yes they will be missed but life moves on and we will be better with our youngsters. Neither Hudson or Welsh would ever be the keys to getting the next flag.