Neil Craig

[Damp Squarie]

...hasnt proven himself as a coach yet!
You might argue that you cant blame Thommo for an error during the real heat of battle.

I was there when we let the West Coast run rampant over the Mighty Crows after half time.

You might argue that you cant blame van Berlo for being clean or Biglands for going down.

Ive forgotten who was on Chick the year before when he slammed on two majors... but hang on... didnt Clarke go off just before the fatal nails in our coffin

It all seems so long ago, but we continue to fluff chances!
Ive had enough!! I want results and I want them this year.

Dont tell Edwards or McLeod they will accept nothing less than a premiership
this year.There could be 6 experienced players step down at the end of next year.

Whilst the players will do their best I just hope Craigy is full-bottle on what he needs to do to become a One-club Coach...this year.
He might not get another better opportunity.

There would be no failure if at the end of this year he steps down with an injury toll to surpass the doozys that other Clubs have failed to endure IN THE PAST TWO YEARS...I mean explain to me..LUCK!

This is it NC -Seize the Moment.The Footy Gods Will Smile on the AFC...this your last year.

 

[Campbell's Chunky]

Wahdy wah wah wah.

 

[PCORF]

...hasnt proven himself as a coach yet!
You might argue that you cant blame Thommo for an error during the real heat of battle.

I was there when we let the West Coast run rampant over the Mighty Crows after half time.

You might argue that you cant blame van Berlo for being clean or Biglands for going down.

Ive forgotten who was on Chick the year before when he slammed on two majors... but hang on... didnt Clarke go off just before the fatal nails in our coffin

It all seems so long ago, but we continue to fluff chances!
Ive had enough!! I want results and I want them this year.

Dont tell Edwards or McLeod they will accept nothing less than a premiership
this year.There could be 6 experienced players step down at the end of next year.

Whilst the players will do their best I just hope Craigy is full-bottle on what he needs to do to become a One-club Coach...this year.
He might not get another better opportunity.

There would be no failure if at the end of this year he steps down with an injury toll to surpass the doozys that other Clubs have failed to endure IN THE PAST TWO YEARS...I mean explain to me..LUCK!

This is it NC -Seize the Moment.The Footy Gods Will Smile on the AFC...this your last year.

What you are saying is what I'm saying! But I think this team has given up too many times and it comes down to one missed mark or one bad call that can damage the confidence. That 2006PF at AAMI against WCE still hurts because if we had won that game it would have been the turning point because we put on a gutsy effort that day. We lost that game because of crap umpiring (No Birdman free kick at halftime, unessecary free kick on the last bounce) and the team was reduced to tears, the crowd including me threw litter on the ground (towards the umpires) and I felt like giving up as a supporter. With this loss I wrote the team off and my prediction was spot on as Adelaide collapsed in 2007 by playing poorly at times and also losing games by 1,2 and 3 points - the first team ever do do this. I'm not sure if I can blame the coach though, I think its the players. We also had a terrible run of injuries in 2006 and 2007 which included three knee victims Huddo, Hentschel and Biglands. You can't blame Van Berlo for injuring Bigland's knee because it was just a freak accident. Rhett took a massive inpact to his lower leg (just below the knee) and the knee gave way by bending 20 degrees out and he limped off the ground in obvious pain. But even with a full team in 2005 we collapsed. Craigy's coaching was really good in 2005 but it faded and the team faded. Lets rebuild this side into a team lets say around 2010 or 2011 can deliver great things. A new and more experienced coach would also help the gameplans a bit more but its more up to the players.

 

[Baron Winds]

Personally I think Craig has done a pretty good job so far. Granted some of the calls he made are not so good and possibly needed some more pro active decision but all in all, considering the list we had plus injuries and lack of a super foward we did pretty bloody well to get into the finals this year.

We finished 11th, 8th, 3rd, 6th and 12th before NC took over. He took over as head coach in 2005 which would deffinately be nearly one of the best years we've ever had.. Its a given our finals didnt go as anyone planned and imo was due to NC upping the work load come finals time and we recieved alot of soft tissue injuries but who can honeslty say.. Same thing happened in 2006. Personally, with what he did with a "12th position" team in one year, i am really, really excited to see what he can do with a young and talented team over the next couple of years.

As for this year we still had alot of injuries, also we cant blame one decision or player for our failed finals this year. There is no 'Massie' in 'team' after all.

Bring on '08 NC, lets see you turn this boat around

 

[H.C.F.C]

Neil Craig will be given an extension to his contract at the end of the year.

He has been given a license to blood young players. You don't replace a Coach when you are in a period of transition.

Simple.

He will be given another 2 years.

Bookmark thread.

 

[Adam BK]

I think Neil Craig has done enough to warrant at least a chance to work with a group of players that are at their prime. A full rebuild or whatever you like to call it.

 

[Tas]

He has made the finals every year he has coached so far. Has really lacked a quality CHF and FF to work with which has probably been the difference between playing in finals and going all the way.

The defence is still very strong, the midfield is very solid. It's just the forward line that has been a weakness during his reign and he has had to utilise makeshift forwards there, several which have been up and down. When guys like Perrie, McGregor, etc have been playing well it gives the side the right structure to kick a high score.

He just needs to build a more consistent forward line, add a bit more pace in the middle as the older guys hang up the boots. He has a lot to work with, he just needs the players to execute the plans he puts in place because I doubt his plan was to have Massie isolated one-on-one with Franklin in the final, sometimes it is as simple as the players being at fault and not everything being the coach's fault.

 

[Geoffa32]

I think that NC has a problem when he is out of his "controlled" environment. This being match day. Great Prematch coach, poor tactician, poor making changes under pressure. We no longer win close games. This is clearly a sign of that.

This year for me was the worst defeat in finals. We lost to a young team who we should of beaten. The next two games would of been against two of our "bunnies". We avoided WCE in the finals draw (we can not beat them, we are thier bunnies).

Why did we lose....Poor Tactics. We looked to be able to blow Hawthorn out of the game in the first quarter. But no, we come out in the second quarter and try to defend a lead. Craig tried to "control" the situation. It does not work.

Last quarter the game tightened up. We lose in a tight one. Just like the Freo, Essendon and St Kilda games this year.

I still want him as a coach, his player preperation and knowledge of the game is second to none...But something need to change on Match Day.

 

[maccas_no1]

I think that NC has a problem when he is out of his "controlled" environment. This being match day. Great Prematch coach, poor tactician, poor making changes under pressure. We no longer win close games. This is clearly a sign of that.

This year for me was the worst defeat in finals. We lost to a young team who we should of beaten. The next two games would of been against two of our "bunnies". We avoided WCE in the finals draw (we can not beat them, we are thier bunnies).

Why did we lose....Poor Tactics. We looked to be able to blow Hawthorn out of the game in the first quarter. But no, we come out in the second quarter and try to defend a lead. Craig tried to "control" the situation. It does not work.

Last quarter the game tightened up. We lose in a tight one. Just like the Freo, Essendon and St Kilda games this year.

I still want him as a coach, his player preperation and knowledge of the game is second to none...But something need to change on Match Day.

Good post and I agree, NC has done some very good things while he has been coaching the AFC, but he has also made so huge huge blunders mainly match day related. Now I maybe wrong but when you are winning a game comfortably, the oppositions confidence is down you put them to bed, you already have control of the game.

Some (including myself) having suggested a matchday coach to help him out

 

[CrowMagnum]

Good post and I agree, NC has done some very good things while he has been coaching the AFC, but he has also made so huge huge blunders mainly match day related. Now I maybe wrong but when you are winning a game comfortably, the oppositions confidence is down you put them to bed, you already have control of the game.

Some (including myself) having suggested a matchday coach to help him out

Good in theory but untenable as it undermines the coach's authority and you can't help but create conflicts.

Craig is a good preparation coach, although not without fault. He got the taper wrong in 2006 when we peaked too early and questions are still asked about our soft tissue injury toll for the last couple of years as well as man management problems this year.

The main downfall though is the absence of flair and risk taking on matchdays, as well as the inability to quickly assess and respond to a given problem that you haven't previously planned for. I don't these are qualities you can just turn around overnight and so I think will be his downfall when the time comes to renegotiate his contract. Would be happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I think that NC has a problem when he is out of his "controlled" environment. This being match day. Great Prematch coach, poor tactician, poor making changes under pressure. We no longer win close games. This is clearly a sign of that.

This year for me was the worst defeat in finals. We lost to a young team who we should of beaten. The next two games would of been against two of our "bunnies". We avoided WCE in the finals draw (we can not beat them, we are thier bunnies).

Why did we lose....Poor Tactics. We looked to be able to blow Hawthorn out of the game in the first quarter. But no, we come out in the second quarter and try to defend a lead. Craig tried to "control" the situation. It does not work.

Last quarter the game tightened up. We lose in a tight one. Just like the Freo, Essendon and St Kilda games this year.

I still want him as a coach, his player preperation and knowledge of the game is second to none...But something need to change on Match Day.

What he said.

We don't have the depth of last year, but if most things go well, there is no reason why we can't be aiming for a top-4 finish, as the Cats are the only real standout.

 

[KingsCrow]

This year will be a strange one. You hear alot about how we shouldn't have cut Torney, tried harder to keep Welsh/Hudson. But you also have to remember with that exact team and with those players we did not achieve a great deal last year.

We have to refresh, new players, new postitions otherwise we are jsut going to be in the same posititon as 07. It will be interseting to see if Craigey does that.

I think if he does experiment with new players but not ridiculously like Carlton or Freo the Crows might be alright next, its about getting the mix right.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Craigys biggest problem was overachieving with an average list 3 years ago and giving us a sniff of a flag when we probably needed to rebuild. Cant blame him for that. Got all of our hopes and expectations up and now we expect miracles from a middle of the road list at best. Cant see it happening, we need to rebuild and give Craigy a genuinely strong list he can work with. Craigy has his faults, but I believe his faults are also his strengths. For example, the massive faith he shows in players at times hurts us but imagine the confidence it creates in players. But i suppose its only natural for supporters to bag their coaches. Look at poor old Chocco and what he achieved last year and the amount of Port supporters who still want him to go.. Bloody crazy

 

[P.A.F.C]

But match-day tacticians are what coaches basically are these days. Most coaches do very little at training, they are not hugely involved in recruiting and player development is left so specialist coaches. I'm not having a go at Craig, but to bring in a match day tactician would be as good as sacking Craig.

 

[Crow Envy]

Craigys biggest problem was overachieving with an average list 3 years ago and giving us a sniff of a flag when we probably needed to rebuild. Cant blame him for that. Got all of our hopes and expectations up and now we expect miracles from a middle of the road list at best. Cant see it happening, we need to rebuild and give Craigy a genuinely strong list he can work with. Craigy has his faults, but I believe his faults are also his strengths. For example, the massive faith he shows in players at times hurts us but imagine the confidence it creates in players. But i suppose its only natural for supporters to bag their coaches. Look at poor old Chocco and what he achieved last year and the amount of Port supporters who still want him to go.. Bloody crazy

But this can also work the other way, imagine the thoughts of the players when Franklin was towelling up Massie and then to hear Craig say he would do it again. This shows the players he is stubborn, doesnt learn and that can do alot of damage to the players confidence. And yes it can sometimes hurt us, like a final or two. Id rather upset the players feelings and win those games.

 

[James23]

But match-day tacticians are what coaches basically are these days. Most coaches do very little at training, they are not hugely involved in recruiting and player development is left so specialist coaches. I'm not having a go at Craig, but to bring in a match day tactician would be as good as sacking Craig.

i think you'll find your comment is wrong in this situation as neil craig isnt ur average ex-football player turned coach.. he has qualifications in sports science as well as fitness coach experience in international sporting events, so therefore he has a big say and influence on training.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

But this can also work the other way, imagine the thoughts of the players when Franklin was towelling up Massie and then to hear Craig say he would do it again. This shows the players he is stubborn, doesnt learn and that can do alot of damage to the players confidence. And yes it can sometimes hurt us, like a final or two. Id rather upset the players feelings and win those games.

I agree with you. His strengths are his weeknesses. In hindsight, what he did with Massie was wrong. But as a player it would be great knowing you can make a mistake or two and not get dragged or dropped. I too would be happy to upset players and win more games, but do you think someone like Rutten hasnt benefitted from Craig showing faith in him in his early days of development. Or Bock, VB and Knightsy. Take a look at McGregor and Mattner, what the lack of faith Craig had in them has done to there careers. All Im saying is Neil Craig has weeknesses like everyone, but it is for a reason. Whether he is right or wrong only time will tell

 

[Damp Squarie]

...and you would know.

Freddy Basset ...McGregor will win the medal this year...barring injury.
Whether he takes Bocks position remains to be seen.

 

[P.A.F.C]

i think you'll find your comment is wrong in this situation as neil craig isnt ur average ex-football player turned coach.. he has qualifications in sports science as well as fitness coach experience in international sporting events, so therefore he has a big say and influence on training.

Then to put it bluntly, he should be at the club in a different capacity. Plus, if he is so heavily involved in training, then you'd hope the other assistant coaches are earning their wages through some form, cause it sure aint through speaking up in the coaches box on game day.

 

[Geoffa32]

Hate to say it but I agree....He is a suberb player preparer...but on Match day, when a head coach takes over he has problems.

 

[crowsup]

Hate to say it but I agree....He is a suberb player preparer...but on Match day, when a head coach takes over he has problems.

Are those your words, or they the same ones coined by an infamous journo that hates the AFC?

I like to remember that when the AFC swapped Cornes for Shaw, there was no improvement. When Blighty went and we got Garry Ayres for 4 years, we did not fare that well. So, the only successful coach we have had, has been Blighty. I don't think NC has done too badly at all. If compared to other head coaches for the same time, he has done very well. After all, of all the coaches that were available when NC took over, who has done better? Terry Wallace? Garry Ayres? Rodney Eade?
Good coaches should be changed only when they become stale and lack the drive, unless there is one coach available that you can definitely say he would improve the team.

 

[Farmy]

People are crying over nothing, Neil Craig is a great coach, he pulled some premiership chances out of the bag where there was no expectation to, its not the Coaches fault that players make the occasional bad decision that costs us games, thats the players fault. And every club in the AFL gets that.

I am glad Neil Craig is our coach rather than Rodney and Wallet.

 

[Eastern Crow]

TopJars

What is your definition of success?

Yes the crows have failed at the final hurdle, however NC's winning % with an average list is outstanding

At no time has Neil had a top 4 list, however, he has squeezed every little bit of ability out of his players

 

[Geoffa32]

Dont get me wrong out of the coaches availiable he is the best...And in no way would I like to see him leave.

A Eastern Crow has said, in now way have we had a top four list, but NC the expert Player Preparer has done this...

However his one negative is match day in tight situations...All coaches have a negative.

Apart from two game we have not lost by over ten goals under his tenure, however the games we have lost are by less than 20, with a large percentage below 10. He says that is luck. When was the last time we won one of these??

2005 and 2006 we ultimatley lost to a team which I dont believe we will can beat. This years home amtch against them proved that. Any 22 guys could put on the WCE jumper and beat us atm.

 

[Damp Squarie]

I hear the 3 of you.

I'm not about bagging him, Im just saying if we dont take our chance this year what with a few older blokes in thier twilight it could be too late for NC to grab a premiership for himself.

Hes a great coach but can he be greater.