Game analyst Craig Jennings the secret to Melbourne’s success

WHEN the cameras zoom in on Simon Goodwin, only the most ardent footy fans would identify the bloke sitting next to him. But the man described as “a tactical genius” is having a profound impact on Melbourne’s premiership tilt.

Melbourne game analyst Craig Jennings (left) with the Demons’ AFLX team. Picture: Michael Klein

HE’S one of the most anonymous figures in AFL coaching ranks.

When the cameras zoomed in on Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and the bearded bloke sitting next to him at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, only the most ardent footy fans would have identified Demons’ game analyst Craig Jennings.

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Yet despite the low profile, it is clear the man this week described as “a tactical genius” and “clearly one of the smartest men in footy” is having a profound impact on Melbourne’s premiership tilt.

And the players love him, says co-captain Nathan Jones, for his quirky methods.

Jennings has visited soccer teams in the Middle East for ideas on system and organisation and has also studied marketing in the United States to learn about messaging.

But when it comes to the business of football, Jennings “can break down an opposition team and game plan better than anyone”, according to one of his former colleagues.

It is why Jennings, who was taken pick No. 45 in the 1990 national draft, and played in North Melbourne’s under-19 1991 premiership team, looms as a certainty to be one of the next members of the AFL’s level four coaching program.

Victorious coach Craig Jennings (left) with Melbourne’s AFLX premiership team. Picture: Michael Klein

It would put Jennings on track to become a top dog, and will most likely be the man sitting next to Goodwin in the box against Collingwood in today’s Queen’s Birthday blockbuster at the MCG.

Previously, Jennings spent almost a decade at Essendon working in recruiting and opposition analysis and the Western Bulldogs for one season. He has been at Melbourne since the end of 2015.

But, like Carlton coach Brendon Bolton and Brisbane boss Chris Fagan, he has never played a senior AFL game.

“He is super intelligent, and his thirst for knowledge and attention to detail is incredible,” said the ex-colleague.

“He knows every team, what they do, how to break them down, everything about them, like the back of his hand.

“Clearly, he wants to be a senior coach, and he might be a little bit different, but one thing is for absolute certain and that is he knows the game as well as anyone.”

For good reason, Melbourne is thrilled with the overall output from its coaching staff.

But Melbourne co-captain Jones is adamant Jennings brings something different to the box.

He took charge of Melbourne’s title-winning AFLX campaign this year.

“He is the best, or certainly one of the best minds in footy I’ve seen,” Jones said.

“He is quite quirky in the way he teaches and educates players.

“It is quite refreshing the way he formulates meetings with different anecdotes and I was a huge fan of the way he approached AFLX.”

Jones said he has seen Jennings break down a game in an instant.

“The way he sees the game tactically in particular, and the way he reads trends (is fantastic),” Jones said.

“I’ve had some exposure to it sitting in the box, and his calmness and coolness under pressure, he just sees what’s happening out there — whether that’s in the initial play or off the ball.

“He is able to assist in making (positional) moves and he 100 per cent has the temperament (to be a senior coach) and is very valuable contributor to our coaching group.”

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Originally published as Game analyst Craig Jennings the secret to Melbourne’s success