CRAIG STEPS DOWN AS COACH

[CUTTERMAN]

Sorry Cutterman I didn't mean to drag you into my argument with Mopar Dog. I used the word "great" off my own back. I didn't realise you had used it earlier.

I agree with your sentiments though. To dismiss what he and the club achieved from 2005-2011 as mediocre is grossly unfair. We had some great times. I was at the Essendon final in 2009 and it was one of the best Crows performances I have watched live. With a little bit of luck we might have made a GF in 05 or 06 and made a prelim final in 09. We didn't and now it is time for a fresh start.

No need to apologize Hondo.
I think one thing to take into consideration is that as a coach it would be very easy to turn a club into a divided group, made up of different factions or turn it into an in-fighting rabble. During a time of much transition Craig and the club have not allowed this to happen, take as one example the McLeod/Edwards issue, it would've been easy for the club/coach to offload one of them, they didn't and I think the club became stronger for it.
Success in footy is often made up of minute events that decide outcomes. The bounce of a ball, a critical umpiring decision, a kick for goal in time on in the last 1/4. If in 1997 the ump had decided differently in the Geelong/Adelaide final Blight might not have any Flags to his name, but it happened and now Blight is remembered as a great coach. If the ball had've bounced differently in last years GF Malthouse might never have a flag at Collingwood. If Biglands hadn't injured his knee in the 2006 Preliminary Final Craig might have a flag.
Small things decide big outcomes!
It doesn't mean that Blight without a flag, as an example, should not be remembered as a great coach.

[Footy Smart]

What was the crows average attendance when Gary Ayres started ??? what was it when he leaved ????

You cannot attribute crowd attendances to NC.... Far to many variables to even consider that question.

Next thing NC would have been responsible for Amy Winehouse addiction [/quote]

So you can categorically say not one crows fans stopped getting a season ticket due to Neil Craigs coaching.

And if you cant ??? how is it an unfair question ???[/quote]

How many stopped getting Richmond, Melbourne etc etc season tickets when the performances dropped off? so it is an unfair question to single out NC and the AFC!

Mopar you dont like the crows, fair enough! but get over it FFS

[Mopar Dog]

What was the crows average attendance when Gary Ayres started ??? what was it when he leaved ????

You cannot attribute crowd attendances to NC.... Far to many variables to even consider that question.

Next thing NC would have been responsible for Amy Winehouse addiction

So you can categorically say not one crows fans stopped getting a season ticket due to Neil Craigs coaching.

And if you cant ??? how is it an unfair question ???[/quote]

How many stopped getting Richmond, Melbourne etc etc season tickets when the performances dropped off? so it is an unfair question to single out NC and the AFC!

Mopar you dont like the crows, fair enough! but get over it FFS[/quote]

All Im asking is how many crows memberships did craigy's coaching tenure cost the club ??? Do you want us to believe NONE!!!!

I have never once said that Neil riag is the only coach to drivemembers awya in droves in the history of football.. i agree many richmond fans would have jumped off during the wallace years.

So you can concede Richmond, Melbourne fans have jumped off when performances have dropped off. Why cant you admit crows members left in droves when Craigy did the same. I mean FS I know you love the crows. That doesnt mean you have to abuse those who ask a question you dont want to admit the answer to about the club you love.

I mean get over it FFS.

[Mopar Dog]

I think Mopar has some prejudices about Crows fans BTW! I have read some of his theories over on the SANFL board. Mopar, some of us don't fit your mould. If you think what we are doing is defending the Crows for the sake of defending them then you are wrong. The performances this year have been completely unacceptable. The worst I can recall.

So you were brought up a crows fan were you Hondo and you didnt just jump on in the 90s ???

[Booney]

I think Mopar has some prejudices about Crows fans BTW! I have read some of his theories over on the SANFL board. Mopar, some of us don't fit your mould. If you think what we are doing is defending the Crows for the sake of defending them then you are wrong. The performances this year have been completely unacceptable. The worst I can recall.

So you were brought up a crows fan were you Hondo and you didnt just jump on in the 90s ???

Even for you that is a stupid bloody question.

[Dutchy]

As I was saying 55% record and NO premiership(s) unlike the others you quoted....


Just watched Bickley's presser on FOX news, doesnt inspire confidence, esp with this comment "someone had to do it"

[Mopar Dog]

As I was saying 55% record and NO premiership(s) unlike the others you quoted....


Just watched Bickley's presser on FOX news, doesnt inspire confidence, esp with this comment "someone had to do it"

Agreed. He is not great with a camera infront of him!!!!!

[Mopar Dog]

I think Mopar has some prejudices about Crows fans BTW! I have read some of his theories over on the SANFL board. Mopar, some of us don't fit your mould. If you think what we are doing is defending the Crows for the sake of defending them then you are wrong. The performances this year have been completely unacceptable. The worst I can recall.

So you were brought up a crows fan were you Hondo and you didnt just jump on in the 90s ???

Even for you that is a stupid bloody question.

Why is that ??? I apologise to ask and didnt mean to offend. Its just something you have to ask when dealing with these so called die hard go every fortnight afl fans.

[Booney]

Sorry mate, should have clarified. He is a third generation Crows fan.... He didn't just "jump on" 20 years ago, no siree, been there for the long haul.

Just to clear things up, you were a Centrals regular in the 80's then? Silly question, I know, but I assume with your high ground as far as "traditional" fans go you've been a Centrals regular for decades.

[Mopar Dog]

:shock:

Sorry mate, should have clarified. He is a third generation Crows fan.... He didn't just "jump on" 20 years ago, no siree, been there for the long haul.

Just to clear things up, you were a Centrals regular in the 80's then? Silly question, I know, but I assume with your high ground as far as "traditional" fans go you've been a Centrals regular for decades.

Thats 100% correct. I have been a centrals fans my entire life.

whats your point BTW ????

[Booney]

Been going to games for years then? Through the 80's and early 90's?

[Mopar Dog]

Been going to games for years then? Through the 80's and early 90's?

Yet again 100% Correct. Do you want me to apologise or something ????

[Booney]

No,no. Was just curious.

[Mopar Dog]

No,no. Was just curious.

What else can be said.

Even for you these were extremely stupid bloody questions.

[Media Park]

Children... Put the toys back in the cot.

[Hondo]

Mopar, let your prejudices and views about Crows fans, bandwagons and SANFL deserters go. Everyone has a different path they went down to end up where we are and who we support and how we show that support. Generalisations are dangerous. I don't think it's relevant to discussing Neil Craig's coaching record.

[Hondo]

As I was saying 55% record and NO premiership(s) unlike the others you quoted....

Actually, you weren't saying that. I had to help you out.

Poor old Brad Scott has an even lower W-L ratio and NO premierships either. Time to go I think ...

[CoverKing]

Have i just witnessed Booney sticking up for some Crows supporters??

As I was saying 55% record and NO premiership(s) unlike the others you quoted....


Just watched Bickley's presser on FOX news, doesnt inspire confidence, esp with this comment "someone had to do it"

Agreed. He is not great with a camera infront of him!!!!!

Neither was Chris Scott in his first couple of interviews as head coach IMO but he has come a long way in a short time. He is pretty good infront of the cameras now

[Voice]

Have i just witnessed Booney sticking up for some Crows supporters??

As I was saying 55% record and NO premiership(s) unlike the others you quoted....


Just watched Bickley's presser on FOX news, doesnt inspire confidence, esp with this comment "someone had to do it"

Agreed. He is not great with a camera infront of him!!!!!

Neither was Chris Scott in his first couple of interviews as head coach IMO but he has come a long way in a short time. He is pretty good infront of the cameras now

I like his comment today.......and it was only on the radio...."Actions speak louder than talking"

[Gingernuts]

I reckon Neil would be excellent in a 'player welfare' type role for the club.

It's obvious that he has a great relationship with the young players, and judging by their reaction to his announcement he has made quite a positive impact on them. I wonder whether perhaps this was part of his downfall in the end, he may have become less of a coach and more of a father figure to these young guys.

Anyway, I see no reason why he could not continue in a mentoring role, but with a focus more on whole life rather than match day footy (ie completely separate from the football department). Dealing with things like, homesickness, balancing life with footy, assisting in further education, and organising charity work to name a few areas.

He strikes me as a person who has an excellent perspective on things, and who would be more than capable of separating himself from the football department to take up another role within the club without interference to a new coaching team.