Neil Craig

[FD88]

Neil Craig is now re-buliding a list from scratch and should be judged in 3-4 years time on how good a job he does at teaching these young kids. Wallace was building from scratch and hasn't made the finals once.. Craig is yet to miss the finals if I remember correct..

He has had five years already to re-build the side, what is it that he has done to suggest that the Crows admin should give him a 3yr extension?

In the first two years of Craig's tenure as coach the Crows were up the top of the ladder and looking ominous for flags; these were not all-out rebuilding years, these were potential premiership years! In 2007 the club still believed (as did many of its supporters on the run home) that we could give it one last shake if injuries subsided but they didn't, and we were edged by a kick at the death from Buddy.

2008 was the first of Neil Craig's "rebuilding" years as the likes of Vince, Tippett, Mackay and co. were given important roles, and 2009 has seen the second blooding phase. We have gone with an even heavier mix of youth in 2009 than most of us expected and this is going to cost us a few extra wins in the short term. It might also mean missing the finals but Craigy is building his own side from his own draftees and own vision, not a side he simply inherited. This is his real test and the process is only into its second year. Condemning him now could come back to bite you on the bum in a big way.

[Footy Smart]

I'm not a fan of Craig's style. Firstly the club is refusing to bottom out which negates the chances of getting anything serious in the drafts and why every year it's "where are the Crows going to finish this year?" when we haven't been a premiership threat for a few years now and for a few years into the future. That's on the club.

But he does play way too much of a negative coaching style which is all about saving face and keeping the members happy comfortable in the knowledge they gave it a crack and come away with an honourable loss rather than taking risks. Craig during the week displayed shock at the lack of risk taking by the Crows players, pretty harsh given any sense of flair, attacking and ingenuity has been drilled right out of them. Flooding the backlines, fart-assing around with it in the defensive 50 and then realising there's no one to kick too in our forward half isn't going to win you too many games. Too negative.

I didn't even bother watching the first three quarters today (despite getting it live on Fox) as the Crows and their style are just too harsh to watch these days, the Showdown pretty much did me for the year.

Dont need fans like you anyway.... no big loss for the crows

[Footy Smart]

Sacking Neill Craig would be the biggest load of crap I have ever heard. He has got more out of that squad than anyone else could have. He will continue to get more out of them as they develop.

Facts are:

Squad
He crows squad and its depth has never been great. The re building is happening at Adelaide, Vince, VB, Mckay, Douglas, porpas, knights, etc all have around 50+ games and still will improve. Look at Geelong all there players who no one new until the last 2 seasons now have 150 games so they must have played for a few years before they became what they did. The youngsters are there and have shown glimpses but you cant expect to play 4 or 5 players with under 25 games experience and be competitive and win every game they play.

Game Plan
You can only play with what you have. The crows are no more negative that the next team. They all zone. The thing is that once we get the footy we don’t have the targets to kick to a 50/50 contest and must find other ways to go forward sometimes we get into trouble and turn it over. Yesterday’s game showed how turning the footy over kills you. The only thing im a tad critical with the game plan is the lack of lead up targets we have presenting are the ground and then in the forward line. Walker finally showed his leading ability so im hoping he will take a few more steps forward in the coming weeks. Our lack of genuine pace also hurts us as when bock is out we lack that real run out of defence and the ability to break the first line of the zone.

Positives
Young squad showing glimpses walker, tippet, Dangerfield, Mckay, patrenko etc. The crows haven’t bottomed out and I would much rather be a winner/competitive each week than dish up constant performances like Richmond Fremantle etc do

If you sack Craigy who could do a better job???? No one

[Gingernuts]

IMO one of the big reasons why clubs such as St Kilda & Richmond have not had success for a long time is because they have succumbed to the knee jerk reaction of sacking the coach when things get a little bit difficult.

At the moment I feel the Crows have a good chance of snaffling a flag within 5 years. Sacking Neil Craig has the potential to push this back to 10+ years, particularly with no obvious alternative in the wings.

Neil Craig is the best fit coach for the Adelaide Football Club, and I have every confidence that he will be a premiership coach before his time at the club comes to an end.

Success comes to those who are patient and refrain from knee jerk reactions in a crisis. I seem to remember Geelong came very close to sacking Bomber Thompson at the beginning of 06(?), they are still being rewarded for that decision to retain him.

[Footy Smart]

IMO one of the big reasons why clubs such as St Kilda & Richmond have not had success for a long time is because they have succumbed to the knee jerk reaction of sacking the coach when things get a little bit difficult.

At the moment I feel the Crows have a good chance of snaffling a flag within 5 years. Sacking Neil Craig has the potential to push this back to 10+ years, particularly with no obvious alternative in the wings.

Neil Craig is the best fit coach for the Adelaide Football Club, and I have every confidence that he will be a premiership coach before his time at the club comes to an end.

Success comes to those who are patient and refrain from knee jerk reactions in a crisis. I seem to remember Geelong came very close to sacking Bomber Thompson at the beginning of 06(?), they are still being rewarded for that decision to retain him.

Exactly criag has got the best out of an average squad for a few years. Bomber was probably doing the same. Then once the players bomber had, matured all of a sudden they are the bench mark.

[overloaded]

I would of kept Maric in the team. Instead i different ruckman every week

Maric played well for the Magpies on Saturday (mostly at FF), I cant believe he was left out??

I have openly commented on my dislke for Neil Craig's style of coaching on this forum many a time only to be shot down by the likes of Hondo on how we are "rebuilding" and how highly rated Neil is. Here we are at the end of round 7 and after 4 HOME losses we are talking abour rebuilding again and how we are not a top 8 side. I hate to say this guys and girls but....."I TOLD YOU SO!"

Message to Crows Board:
Get rid of Neil Craig - and while youre at it get rid of McLeod, Edwards and Rutten...if we are going to rebuild this year we might as well do it properly instead of the half arsed approach we supporters have to cop every year.

[Hondo]

I have openly commented on my dislke for Neil Craig's style of coaching on this forum many a time only to be shot down by the likes of Hondo on how we are "rebuilding" and how highly rated Neil is. Here we are at the end of round 7 and after 4 HOME losses we are talking abour rebuilding again and how we are not a top 8 side. I hate to say this guys and girls but....."I TOLD YOU SO!"

Most of us knew we were in a rebuilding year, knew the draw was tough at the start, and would have expected to be around 3-4 by now. This year and next will likely see us lose as many as we win while we rebuild. That's not an excuse, it's just the reality of where the list is at?

What were you're expectations this year? Where did you think we'd be after round 7?

[overloaded]

Mate you can call it sniping or whatever you like, but at the end of the day we are a very ordinary side with a very ordinary coach and I dont think anything will change until we change the coach.

I was at the game yesterday and we were pathetic after half time. I spent all of last week copping shit from Power supporters (which we deserved) but to follow the showdown effort up with that crap yesterday is unacceptable - We actually are SOFT. You can question my loyalty as much as you like, I dont really care, but to try and justify a currently pathetic football team with the word "rebuilding" year in and year out is a cop out.

[Hondo]

I edited my post just before you replied. I was a bit rough, on reflection

I think you are setting too high expectations to justify a pre-set opinion on NC. St K, Geelong and the WB are likely top 4 sides this year. They'll make a lot of teams look ordinary before the year is out.

I like where the list is headed however I accept the reality of bumpy ride we'll need to get there. If Bomber Thompson and NC swapped jobs I don't think either Geelong or the Crows would be anywhere other than where they are now. The coach is only part of the whole equation - a very important part, but still only a part.

If, at the end of 2010, we seem to be floundering then make a change, fine.

[JK]

I wonder also, if Crows fans sub-consciously get swayed by the achievements under Blight, where he basically turned the team/club around from being Plankton to Champions overnight ... A very very rare occurrence in footy these days, and one that also needs a bit of perspective.

Looking at that list (and just some of the names), he had a great balance of maturity/experience with the likes of Jameson, Koster, Caven, Robran, Pittman, Rehn, Jarman, Modra etc .. A great club man as skipper in Bickley, and a younger brigade that included the quality of McLeod, Edwards, Goodwin, Johnson, Bond, Vardy etc - Most of whom had a few years and several games under their belt.

It's not possible to turn this current group into world beaters overnight.

[Pup]

Message to Crows Board:
Get rid of Neil Craig - and while youre at it get rid of McLeod, Edwards and Rutten...

Pretty tough on Rutten.

Only 25 and is an All Australian defender.

Not having the best year but still one of the quality defenders in the league. He will fix his form.

[overloaded]

Maybe my expectations are high Hondo but heres how I see it.

We have played one good game - round 1 against Collingwood. Since then its all down hill. We have lost 4 games at home, we were pathetic against an even more pathetic Melbourne. Our effort in the showdown was exactly as the media put it - SOFT, and yesterday's effort after half time was shocking...

What I want to know is where is the spirit, guts and determination we showed against Collingwood?? We have the same players on the oval but do not seem to be able to extract this from them...who is responsible for doing this?? THE COACH.

[overloaded]

Message to Crows Board:
Get rid of Neil Craig - and while youre at it get rid of McLeod, Edwards and Rutten...

Pretty tough on Rutten.

Only 25 and is an All Australian defender.

Not having the best year but still one of the quality defenders in the league. He will fix his form.

Yeah maybe, but he has been terrible so far this year. Tredrea beat him FFS

[lincolnsdirtysecrets]

I agree with overloaded. We have been hearing 'rebuilding' for 5 years and Im sick of it. Chabnge the coach or I will withdraw my membership.
Rutten look so slow out there. He belongs in the SANFL

[Gingernuts]

I hate to say this guys and girls but..... "I TOLD YOU SO!"

A bit early for that I would think. If we are still playing at this standard by round 22 with no signs of improvement then I may consider accepting your view, until then I choose to reject your opinion and show faith in the club that I support.

To criticize is one thing, to back it up with a constructive alternative is another. I challenge anyone who has posted criticism on here to present a viable alternative to the current direction and administration of the AFC (And sacking everyone isn't classed as 'viable' I'm afraid, you'll have to do better than that! ).

Good luck....

[Footy Smart]

I agree with overloaded. We have been hearing 'rebuilding' for 5 years and Im sick of it. Chabnge the coach or I will withdraw my membership.
Rutten look so slow out there. He belongs in the SANFL

last 2 years!!!! not 5.... and from what we had(and aging list) it will probably take this year and another, people with any knoweldge of football realise that. Rutten is playing not at 100% fitness but hasnt played to bad yes a tad slow but no slower than his All Australian years. we need him in the team.

To successfully develop players you dont drop all the older expereinced players and throw the kids to the wolves and they get smashed every week get nothing from the game and you end up like richmond for example. They are treading water, we are seeing glimpses of what is to come and 2 poor efforts doesnt require a new coach and new backline(our strength). evryone sit down take a breathe have a beer and watch the young kids have a crack.

And Lincolnsdirtysecrets get rid of your membership then idiot cos we dont need fans like you who jump off when we loose, Port will take you with open arms and you can winge to them when they win every second week.

[JK]

Actually FS the only thing I would disagree with is Rutten .. Must surely be playing hampered by injury but it's affecting more than just his speed - He's dropped some pretty simple, but critical marks this year that have had bad consequences on gameday.

Im a fan of the big fella, both his game and attitude so not trying to bag the bloke, but he's clearly "off" imho.

[Footy Smart]

Actually FS the only thing I would disagree with is Rutten .. Must surely be playing hampered by injury but it's affecting more than just his speed - He's dropped some pretty simple, but critical marks this year that have had bad consequences on gameday.

Im a fan of the big fella, both his game and attitude so not trying to bag the bloke, but he's clearly "off" imho.

yeah he has made a few mistake but still done some good things and if you take him out who do put in.... once again who comes in??? who could do better??/

Stevo is worrying me he isnt the same after that collision... we need him in our structure if it back or forward.

[JK]

Actually FS the only thing I would disagree with is Rutten .. Must surely be playing hampered by injury but it's affecting more than just his speed - He's dropped some pretty simple, but critical marks this year that have had bad consequences on gameday.

Im a fan of the big fella, both his game and attitude so not trying to bag the bloke, but he's clearly "off" imho.

yeah he has made a few mistake but still done some good things and if you take him out who do put in.... once again who comes in??? who could do better??/

Stevo is worrying me he isnt the same after that collision... we need him in our structure if it back or forward.

Fair call about the replacement options, KPP's are pretty thin .. You could possibly try Moran back there on some opposition talls, but would need to be one of the less mobile opposition forwards.

Also fair call on Stevens .. I'd still like to see Gill playing a lead up half forward role for the Crows.

[overloaded]

If we are rellying on Stevo to be Mr Fix it we have problems