Graham Johncock and Trent Hentschel had interrupted 2008 campaigns for different reasons, but Craig said both were on track to make an impact in 2009.
Johncock, 26, was sent back to SANFL club Port Adelaide for two games last year after failing to meet the “necessary standards” of preparation, which the club believed contributed to his decline in form.
The rebounding defender, who represented the Dream Team in the Hall of Fame Game last May, missed a handful of training sessions at the start of summer while he attended a lifestyle management training course.
Johncock has since returned to full training and Craig said he couldn’t have asked for more from the skilful backman.
“Graham Johncock has been outstanding. He was doing a course over the break, which we knew Graham was always going to do, and to his credit he instigated that,” Craig told radio 5AA.
“We need to acknowledge that as a football community, because there’s a guy taking responsibility for his performances and trying to make some changes that will keep him in our game and at our club for a long period of time.
“But just as importantly, when it all finishes, he’s going to have a lifestyle which will allow him to continue to enjoy life and I take my hat off to Graham for that.
“He did have a hamstring problem, but he’s back on the track now doing everything that is required of him and, importantly, is as happy as I’ve seen him for a long time.”
Hentschel, 26, has been scorching the track this summer.
Earlier this year, he came within seconds of breaking his 3km time trial record, which he set prior to an horrific knee injury.
Hentschel, who experienced a wretched run of soft tissue injuries upon his return to the SANFL last season, was rested from training last Thursday as a precaution after experiencing some quad soreness. It was the first session he did not participate in since pre-season began.
“Trent Hentschel, up until last week, had been exceptional on the track. He’s just a bit sore in the driver at the moment, so we’ve backed him off a little bit,” Craig said.
“I’ve really got my fingers crossed for him. It would be a great story [if he does play] and I just know he’ll play AFL football for us again.
“We all saw his talent before he’s got injured and from what I’ve seen on the track so far this year, he hasn’t lost one bit of it.”
Craig said livewire Jason Porplyzia was on track to play in the last NAB Cup game, leaving only Brad Symes (fractured thumb/scaphoid) and Brett Burton on the long-term injury list.
Number ten draft pick Phil Davis (shoulder) has started participating in controlled contact drills, but won’t resume full-scale training for a few weeks.
