Don't rule me out: Craig

Neil Craig in his first press conference as caretaker Melbourne coach. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CARETAKER Melbourne coach Neil Craig has not ruled out applying for the role on a permanent basis next season, but wants to use the next 11 games to gauge his level of interest as well as the club's interest in him.

Craig today admitted he had never intended to coach again after 166 games at Adelaide, but said the "exceptional circumstances" of Mark Neeld's sacking meant he had to revisit the decision.

"You certainly have a sense of responsibility, I guess, to the playing group and to the football club in general, to be a part of helping the club through it," Craig said.

"When I finished at Adelaide, that was the end of it. I guess over the next 11 weeks we will have an opportunity just to see what the feelings are.

Who will coach the Dees?

"It will depend on what the club is looking for and I guess how I feel about sitting in the chair again for 11 weeks.

"It's a tough job being a senior coach, it doesn't matter what club," Craig said.

"There'll be 11 weeks to gauge that (from my perspective) but the key thing is the club needs to be really clear about the type of coach its looking for.

"It's a really important decision for the club to do that properly ... but I'm sure Melbourne will take the time to find the coach it needs and that might be poles apart to myself."

Craig, speaking a day after the Dees axed Mark Neeld from the top job, said he expected the beleaguered team to "improve its consistency of effort".

Melbourne deputy coach Neil Craig takes charge of the Demons for the first time since Mark Neeld's sacking.

The former Crows coach hosed down criticism that he said he'd never take the reins at Melbourne.

"When I finished in Adelaide I was pretty clear on that (but) these are exceptional circumstances.

"You certainly have a sense of responsibility to the playing group and the football club in general to be part of helping the club through it."

Craig paid tribute to the legacy left by Mark Neeld saying the club had a bright future.

Melbourne is already in the market for a new coach.

Meanwhile, Melbourne great Garry Lyon urged fellow one-time Demon Gerard Healy to head the club's search for a new coach.

Healy, the former Brownlow medallist, is the brother of Melbourne's football director, Greg Healy.

Melbourne Demons caretaker coach Neil Craig will consider applying for the lead role vacated by Mark Neeld.

Lyon said he too had felt the strain throughout the Demons' struggles and took responsibility for Neeld's failed appointment.

"Well, it's my responsibility," Lyon said on Footy Classified last night.

"I was one of the people that put Mark in the job ... (but) once you get into the chair, who knows what's going to happen?

"So if anyone says 'you don't responsibility for these decisions', I do.

"I wish it had turned out better, I've been hurting like everyone else for the last 18 months."

Lyon then went on to say few were better qualified to conduct a search for a senior coach than Healy.

"Gerard is well versed in footy, I think he's got an outstanding footy brain," Lyon said.

"He is close to Melbourne board members, he speaks to them regularly, he speaks to the players regularly.

"He's been heard to say that he thinks he knows what the problem is and how it can be fixed.

"So I think Gerard should head it up, for sure."