The Magpies prevailed by three points after the Crows, who had 13 players unavailable for selection, led for the majority of the tight game at the MCG on Saturday night.
While Craig said the performance was his players’ best against Collingwood “in a long time”, they were unable to maintain it right until the end when they allowed the Pies to narrowly outscore them in the final term.
“They were very good in the last quarter when they went forward,” he said.
“Defensively we dropped off a little bit, our pressure dropped off.
“We’ve got a very young side tonight, so to keep that sort of effort up was always going to be a big ask, but I couldn’t have asked any more from our players and we wear the loss in the end.”
Craig admitted the loss was a disappointment after the Crows led for all but nine minutes of the match.
“You always need to get a winning culture,” he said.
“I think it was a great game of footy by both clubs. The usual words - brave, effort - and you could say that for Collingwood as well.
“We’re the loser today, but I think it was a great game of AFL footy.”
He emphasised the need to “run to the line” this season given the Crows are set to miss the finals for the first time since 2004.
Craig was delighted with the work of young guns Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield, who combined for 19 contested possessions.
“I’m really pleased with Rory. I like the way he plays, his contested ball is exceptional already and his in-close work is very, very good for such a young player,” he said.
“What we need to add to Rory is a bit more of an offensive part to his game and that will come as he becomes more experienced and spends more time on the training track.
“I’d put the same comment next to Patrick as well. Contested ball is in the elite area in the AFL for those guys, but they need to have an offensive competition to their game as well.”
Craig said veteran Andrew McLeod would train across the weekend and was rated “a slight chance” to play against St Kilda at AAMI Stadium next Saturday.
“He won’t put himself out there unless he’s actually able to perform, as distinct from run out and play, and there’s a big difference,” he said.
“That’s been his attitude his whole career and I spoke to him last week and it’s still his attitude.”
