DASHER Rohan Bail talks exclusively to melbournefc.com.au about his recent injury battle and return to the Melbourne side, plus the challenges he has faced since joining the club via the 2008 NAB AFL Draft
After a promising start, it’s been a frustrating season for you with injury. But you’ve returned to play the past two matches for Melbourne. How have you found your return?
RB: It’s been very exciting to come back in with five games to go. Hopefully, I’ll hit some form of my own and stay in the side. I really want to finish the season strongly, because I thought I started strongly, before injury interrupted it.
You played from rounds two to four before injury struck. Can you talk about your two main injuries you’ve had this year?
RB: I hurt my wrist in the Richmond game in round four. I did a ligament in my wrist, which wasn’t much of an issue, but I also got a corky in that match and it didn’t recover well. It spread through my thigh and I wasn’t right to play the next week. Two weeks later I went to the Gold Coast to play in the VFL side, but sitting on the plane didn’t agree with it. After going for a warm-up run, I didn’t pull up well and didn’t play. I was then out for another couple of weeks. I came back and played one game in the VFL and then the next match against Bendigo Bombers, I got kneed in the cheek. I broke my cheek in three places and had to have surgery, which was pretty frustrating. I then came back and played against Werribee and Frankston and got a recall against Fremantle.
How did you deal with your injuries through this period?
RB: The middle part of my season was wiped out and the second injury I couldn’t help. It was just unlucky and it was the first bit of surgery I’d ever had. It was a new learning experience. The first week I was back in training, I was a bit hesitant - I didn’t want to get hit in the head. But once I played I was fine.
And what’s it like to be back playing at the elite level after these setbacks?
RB: I love it, especially with Melbourne. I’m trying to find where I’m at with the team - down back or up forward, but I just love playing wherever the coaches feel like putting me.
How does your confidence feel after half-a-dozen AFL matches under your belt?
RB: You just feel more comfortable around your teammates with the way you play. You focus on your role.
What are you aims now for the rest of the season?
RB: I want to stay injury free and be a part of the side for the rest of the year. If we make finals that would be a dream come true. But hopefully we’ll consolidate some hard work and I’ll keep putting my name up for selection and be around next year when the club improves further.
On-field your ability to run-and-carry and break the lines are among your best attributes. Do you agree with that?
RB: Yeah, I try to run as hard as I can. I need to learn a lot more and be a lot more confident and back my pace. When I don’t have the ball, I run harder and when I get it, I try to take guys on.
You’re 22 and older than the recent recruits you were drafted with. How much do you appreciate your opportunity to play in the AFL?
RB: I definitely appreciate it. I’ve had to work a lot harder than some others. There are mature-age draftees coming through, but people develop at different times and I developed later. Maybe I’m showing now what others did at 18 years old.
The club has gained some high-profile youngsters in the past two years, but you’ve managed to fly under the radar. What’s that been like?
RB: I’ve definitely noticed it. Some of those guys have been recognised a lot more, but I’m happy to let the footy do the talking - that’s the way I prefer it. It suits me more too.
It’s been a big 18 months for you. You’ve been drafted, moved interstate, battled injuries, made your AFL debut and played a handful of matches. Significantly, you’ve dealt with personal tragedy with the loss of your Mum. Only you know what this period was like. Are you able to reflect on these experiences?
RB: It was a real learning year. I had to move away and my Mum was diagnosed with cancer and that was hard. It was tough. I was lucky the club really supported me when I needed to be away. And when the club gave me an opportunity to play - that’s all my Mum would’ve wanted for me. I was drafted as a half-forward and I came into the system and learned to play half-back. I was just trying to learn in the VFL and wasn’t really improving. I got injured a couple of times, including my AFL debut, but the fact that I got a game and got a kick when I was injured still gave me a lot of confidence.
There is a bit of a Queensland connection at the club - you’re one of three Demons to have played at Mt Gravatt and Dean Bailey coached the club. Do you Queenslanders stick together?
RB: I live with Ricky Petterd - and although that’s a coincidence - we did play rep footy together for Queensland. We also live with Belly (Daniel Bell).
But you’re a born and bred Victorian. So do you consider yourself a Queenslander or Victorian?
RB: I was born and bred in Melbourne and moved up to Queensland when I was seven years old. I first lived in East Brighton and then moved to Highett. Then we lived north of Brisbane and I played my junior footy up there. When I played my senior footy, I used to drive to Mt Gravatt, which was about 40 minutes away. My family is Victorian, but we moved up to Queensland because of Dad’s work. I grew up there, so maybe that’s why I was a late developer. I do consider myself a Queenslander (laughing).
After a promising start, it’s been a frustrating season for you with injury. But you’ve returned to play the past two matches for Melbourne. How have you found your return?
RB: It’s been very exciting to come back in with five games to go. Hopefully, I’ll hit some form of my own and stay in the side. I really want to finish the season strongly, because I thought I started strongly, before injury interrupted it.
You played from rounds two to four before injury struck. Can you talk about your two main injuries you’ve had this year?
RB: I hurt my wrist in the Richmond game in round four. I did a ligament in my wrist, which wasn’t much of an issue, but I also got a corky in that match and it didn’t recover well. It spread through my thigh and I wasn’t right to play the next week. Two weeks later I went to the Gold Coast to play in the VFL side, but sitting on the plane didn’t agree with it. After going for a warm-up run, I didn’t pull up well and didn’t play. I was then out for another couple of weeks. I came back and played one game in the VFL and then the next match against Bendigo Bombers, I got kneed in the cheek. I broke my cheek in three places and had to have surgery, which was pretty frustrating. I then came back and played against Werribee and Frankston and got a recall against Fremantle.
How did you deal with your injuries through this period?
RB: The middle part of my season was wiped out and the second injury I couldn’t help. It was just unlucky and it was the first bit of surgery I’d ever had. It was a new learning experience. The first week I was back in training, I was a bit hesitant - I didn’t want to get hit in the head. But once I played I was fine.
And what’s it like to be back playing at the elite level after these setbacks?
RB: I love it, especially with Melbourne. I’m trying to find where I’m at with the team - down back or up forward, but I just love playing wherever the coaches feel like putting me.
How does your confidence feel after half-a-dozen AFL matches under your belt?
RB: You just feel more comfortable around your teammates with the way you play. You focus on your role.
What are you aims now for the rest of the season?
RB: I want to stay injury free and be a part of the side for the rest of the year. If we make finals that would be a dream come true. But hopefully we’ll consolidate some hard work and I’ll keep putting my name up for selection and be around next year when the club improves further.
On-field your ability to run-and-carry and break the lines are among your best attributes. Do you agree with that?
RB: Yeah, I try to run as hard as I can. I need to learn a lot more and be a lot more confident and back my pace. When I don’t have the ball, I run harder and when I get it, I try to take guys on.
You’re 22 and older than the recent recruits you were drafted with. How much do you appreciate your opportunity to play in the AFL?
RB: I definitely appreciate it. I’ve had to work a lot harder than some others. There are mature-age draftees coming through, but people develop at different times and I developed later. Maybe I’m showing now what others did at 18 years old.
The club has gained some high-profile youngsters in the past two years, but you’ve managed to fly under the radar. What’s that been like?
RB: I’ve definitely noticed it. Some of those guys have been recognised a lot more, but I’m happy to let the footy do the talking - that’s the way I prefer it. It suits me more too.
It’s been a big 18 months for you. You’ve been drafted, moved interstate, battled injuries, made your AFL debut and played a handful of matches. Significantly, you’ve dealt with personal tragedy with the loss of your Mum. Only you know what this period was like. Are you able to reflect on these experiences?
RB: It was a real learning year. I had to move away and my Mum was diagnosed with cancer and that was hard. It was tough. I was lucky the club really supported me when I needed to be away. And when the club gave me an opportunity to play - that’s all my Mum would’ve wanted for me. I was drafted as a half-forward and I came into the system and learned to play half-back. I was just trying to learn in the VFL and wasn’t really improving. I got injured a couple of times, including my AFL debut, but the fact that I got a game and got a kick when I was injured still gave me a lot of confidence.
There is a bit of a Queensland connection at the club - you’re one of three Demons to have played at Mt Gravatt and Dean Bailey coached the club. Do you Queenslanders stick together?
RB: I live with Ricky Petterd - and although that’s a coincidence - we did play rep footy together for Queensland. We also live with Belly (Daniel Bell).
But you’re a born and bred Victorian. So do you consider yourself a Queenslander or Victorian?
RB: I was born and bred in Melbourne and moved up to Queensland when I was seven years old. I first lived in East Brighton and then moved to Highett. Then we lived north of Brisbane and I played my junior footy up there. When I played my senior footy, I used to drive to Mt Gravatt, which was about 40 minutes away. My family is Victorian, but we moved up to Queensland because of Dad’s work. I grew up there, so maybe that’s why I was a late developer. I do consider myself a Queenslander (laughing).
