Melbourne has landed another big fish for 2012, recruiting former Adelaide coach Neil Craig as director of sports performance.
According to a club statement, Craig's role will be to "provide leadership, strategic direction and management support across all aspects of the football department" and he will be answerable to chief executive officer Cameron Schwab.
Craig, who was Adelaide's fitness coach during its premiership years of 1997 and 1998, was head coach for seven yearns until his resignation in July.
The 55-year-old's experience in sports science and coaching led to several clubs showing interest in his services, including Brisbane and Richmond.
"I am convinced through my dialogue with Cameron Schwab, (football director) Garry Lyon and the board, that the Melbourne Football Club is serious about becoming a high-performance football club," Craig said in the statement.
"I love the history of the Melbourne Football Club.
"When I walk through the MCG and look at the honor boards, I see that the Melbourne Football Club started this game, wrote the rules and have produced some all-time great coaches."
The Demons have already recruited former Collingwood midfield coach Neeld as their new senior coach and fitness guru Dave Misson has crossed to Melbourne from St Kilda.
Todd Viney, who took over from the sacked Dean Bailey as caretaker coach during the season, will stay with the club as player development and strategy general manager.
"In Mark Neeld I see a coach that has a clear vision and I wanted to be part of this coaching group that will work really hard to give the members and supporters what they have been craving for," Craig said.
Neeld praised Craig's appointment.
"I have said from the outset that we must demand to have the very best people at this club and the prospect of Neil Craig in this role was a big enticement in my decision to take the senior coaching role at Melbourne," he said.
The Crows said they supported Craig's move.
"It's the right decision for both parties and follows much discussion with Neil about what's best for him, and what would or wouldn't work at our club as an immediate, past senior coach," Crows chief executive officer Steven Trigg said in a statement.
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, adelaide-5000, sa, australia First posted September 29, 2011 14:28:06
No comments:
Post a Comment