TonyK
CibbuanoCraig set to re-sign with Crows
May 14th 2008 00:35
ADELAIDE are set to follow the lead of Hawthorn and re-sign coach Neil Craig, putting him out of the reach of the new Gold Coast AFL franchise.
Adelaide chairman Bill Sanders said the Crows would not take for granted Craig's long-standing claim to be a one-club coach.
"Neil may have said he is a one-club coach but I have been in football long enough to know that if the right offer is made and the right opportunity is presented, things change," Sanders said.
"And we will not be losing anyone at the Adelaide Football Club for financial reasons."
On the same day the Gold Coast steering committee interviewed Brisbane Lions premiership captain and coach-in-waiting Michael Voss, Hawthorn extended Clarkson's contract to the end of 2011 - the first season for the South-East Queensland club.
Craig is contracted to the Crows until the end of next season, with the new deal expected to be extended to the end of 2011 - if not 2012, when the AFL's 18th team is set to be based in western Sydney.
Sanders said the Crows were also keen to retain Craig's support team and avoid any disruptions expected from the AFL's expansion plans.
"We're very much aware of the options that may present themselves to any of our club officials, particularly the coaching staff, with the Gold Coast licence," Sanders said.
"It is no secret in football circles that the Gold Coast steering committee has started putting together the off-field team - and it is sourcing the best-possible people.
"But I am extremely confident we have strategies in place to ensure we do not lose anyone who is required at the Adelaide Football Club - including the coach."
Craig is strongly attached to Adelaide, having joined the Crows as a fitness guru for premiership winning coach Malcolm Blight in 1997.
After Craig was considered by West Coast and Fremantle as a coach in 2002 and an assistant coach at Port Adelaide, Sanders encouraged then Crows coach Gary Ayres to hire Craig as an assistant.
Since mid-2004, Craig has led Adelaide with a 56-32 win-loss record, including two preliminary final appearances.
Despite Craig's long association with the club, Sanders said the Crows can't take for granted that he will stay with Adelaide and that they will do everything possible to ensure all their quality people are retained.
"We have a responsibility to our football club to ensure we keep our best staff - and that we do everything possible to make that happen," Sanders said.
"Our preference is to retain all our valued people - and not take anything for granted."
Adelaide chairman Bill Sanders said the Crows would not take for granted Craig's long-standing claim to be a one-club coach.
"Neil may have said he is a one-club coach but I have been in football long enough to know that if the right offer is made and the right opportunity is presented, things change," Sanders said.
"And we will not be losing anyone at the Adelaide Football Club for financial reasons."
On the same day the Gold Coast steering committee interviewed Brisbane Lions premiership captain and coach-in-waiting Michael Voss, Hawthorn extended Clarkson's contract to the end of 2011 - the first season for the South-East Queensland club.
Craig is contracted to the Crows until the end of next season, with the new deal expected to be extended to the end of 2011 - if not 2012, when the AFL's 18th team is set to be based in western Sydney.
Sanders said the Crows were also keen to retain Craig's support team and avoid any disruptions expected from the AFL's expansion plans.
"We're very much aware of the options that may present themselves to any of our club officials, particularly the coaching staff, with the Gold Coast licence," Sanders said.
"It is no secret in football circles that the Gold Coast steering committee has started putting together the off-field team - and it is sourcing the best-possible people.
"But I am extremely confident we have strategies in place to ensure we do not lose anyone who is required at the Adelaide Football Club - including the coach."
Craig is strongly attached to Adelaide, having joined the Crows as a fitness guru for premiership winning coach Malcolm Blight in 1997.
After Craig was considered by West Coast and Fremantle as a coach in 2002 and an assistant coach at Port Adelaide, Sanders encouraged then Crows coach Gary Ayres to hire Craig as an assistant.
Since mid-2004, Craig has led Adelaide with a 56-32 win-loss record, including two preliminary final appearances.
Despite Craig's long association with the club, Sanders said the Crows can't take for granted that he will stay with Adelaide and that they will do everything possible to ensure all their quality people are retained.
"We have a responsibility to our football club to ensure we keep our best staff - and that we do everything possible to make that happen," Sanders said.
"Our preference is to retain all our valued people - and not take anything for granted."
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