Since arriving at Ikon Park in October, Neil Craig says he’s enjoying being back at the “frontline” of footy – an area he’s really passionate about.
As Carlton’s director of coaching, performance and development, the former Adelaide Crows coach will play a vital role in developing the Blues playing list as well as acting as a mentor for first-time senior coach Brendon Bolton.
After more than a decade in the AFL system, Craig says working with Bolton and watching the approach he’s applying at the Club has been “really refreshing”.
Speaking to 3AW’s Sports Today on Wednesday, Craig gave an insight into the type of environment Bolton is creating at Ikon Park.
“He’s very, very strong on the ‘whole club’ mentality, Craig said.
“The football department can’t get the job done by itself. It’s important that we embrace the whole football club.”
Craig says creating a unified approach also means making the Carlton faithful feel like they really belong to the Club and that they’re part of something special.
“The inclusiveness of our members is also very important, so when we talk, we’re talking to our members, and we mean that sincerely,” he said.
The veteran of 319 SANFL games has also been impressed by Bolton’s first-class communication skills, an ability he’s no doubt drawn upon from his days as a teacher.
“He’s got a crystal clear picture in his head which he’s been able to articulate to the coaches and to the playing group on the way he wants to play, but just as importantly the way to coach that to the players.”
And it appears the team is listening and responding positively to Bolton’s methods.
“The coaches had some really good feedback from the playing group yesterday about how they’ve appreciated the environment Brendon is trying to create, but they want to make sure that continues.
“There is a honeymoon period when everything is new, but we’ve now been going three or four months and it’s important that when that honeymoon period finishes the good work by the coaches continues on.”
Carlton’s new recruits, who may still be in that honeymoon period, have impressed Craig on the training track.
Since arriving at the Club in November their endeavour and willingness to learn has him optimistic about their futures.
“I’m really quite buoyed on the training track by what I’ve seen from those young guys who have been drafted – you can pick up pretty quickly on the training track whether they’ve got it or not.”
If you’d like to meet your favourite Carlton players, including its new recruits, make sure you head along to the Blues annual Family Day. It’s being held on Sunday 7 February. If you’d like to purchase a Blues VIP Pass to make sure you’re first in line, please click here.
