COACH Neil Craig says his side’s lack of discipline was the most frustrating aspect of its 68-point loss to the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking post-match, Craig said his players worked hard, but made too many errors in the contest, which ultimately proved costly.
“My biggest frustration today was our lack of discipline, with minus 11 free kicks, which hurt us immensely,” he said.
“We were in the game at quarter-time and I thought we were in the game at half-time – it was only 17 points.
“Two quick goals at the start of the last quarter gave us a sniff, but we’re a long way off being a hard-nosed footy club to generate a win, so that’s where we’re at.”
Craig said undisciplined acts also came from some of Melbourne’s most disciplined players, highlighting one incident involving defender Tom McDonald.
“That’s un-Tom McDonald-like, because he’s one of our most disciplined players,” he said.
“That probably says something that’s going through their psyche at the moment – the frustration of enormous effort for little return.
“For us to move forward as a club, we will have to be strong enough to keep competing and keep producing that effort, and have the discipline to push harder when we get ourselves into a winning position and do things better.
“Otherwise, nothing will change – but it will change. It will change.”
Craig said he had to be “firm but fair” with his players, adding that development to all Melbourne players was critical.
“I remember my time at Adelaide. 'Development' became the buzz word, and I remember Simon Goodwin coming to me and saying ‘what about my development?’” he said.
“You talk development now and the immediate picture you have in their head is young players, which we’ve got a significant number of and we’ll continue to get more. I understand that concept.
“It’s also about team development. Team development has got nothing to do with our youth. Team development is about discipline. Team development is to play within the rules, as in don’t give free kicks off the ball. Team development is about grit when you’re in winning positions in away games. That’s all about the development of your team.
“To me it’s a bigger picture about development, rather than just young players. Every player, every footy club should be aiming to try and win a premiership.”
Craig said he continues to derive great motivation from developing Melbourne’s list – regardless of whether he coaches the club next year or not.
“My motive at the moment with this particular club is my passion to develop people and to develop those young men and leaders … that’s where I get my excitement from, and everything else will flow from there,” he said.
