Despite a later pre-season start this year - Melbourne’s past two campaigns began in October - the club gained plenty from the overseas experience, according to Bailey.
“As a football club, we thought the trip to China and the benefits the players got out of it … was really important in this stage of their development,” he said from Gosch’s Paddock.
Bailey said the first few training sessions would be light, before stepping up next week.
“They’re (the players) enthusiastic, even though they’ve got a bit of work ahead of them,” he said.
“We’ve got a shortened period this year, but they’re in good nick at the moment.”
Bailey said 90 per cent of the squad was able to train on the first day.
“There are a couple who are getting over hip injuries, but they’re still running, which is a good sign to be starting now, rather than post-Christmas. So we’re not too bad,” he said.
With the AFL releasing the 2011 fixture last week, Bailey said he was more concerned with producing a healthy squad, rather than getting caught up in the machinations of the schedule.
“We traveled well to Darwin and to Brisbane last season, but the importance of getting a healthy list is really the most important thing, rather than the fixture of the game,” he said.
“It would’ve been a difficult opportunity for the AFL with the new team coming in and two byes coming in and trying to fixture a new competition.
“It is what it is and we’ve just got to worry about getting fit and healthy and making sure we’ve got enough fit players to tackle January’s pre-season and then into the NAB Cup.”
Meanwhile, Bailey said club recruiters Barry Prendergast and Gary Burleigh had been working tirelessly in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Draft on November 18.
He said the club would target a forward with one of its four selections, which includes No.12 (although the overall order has yet to be finalised).
“It’s been a really challenging draft this year, with the Gold Coast opportunities … it’ll be a draft where we’ll need to pick a player who’s going to give us an opportunity up in the forward line,” Bailey said.
“Having said that, the thing about the [lead-up to the] last two weeks of the draft is that everything changes - guys who you think are in the early first round all of sudden move back in the order of things.
“There are normally two or three bolters that come in. There is still a bit of work to do, but pick 12 is a really important pick for us, so we need that player to be a 100-game plus player for us.
“Barry and Burls have done a great job for us and I’m sure they’ll pick the best player that’ll fit in our structure.”
