FIND out what’s being said about the club in the major daily newspapers on Sunday, May 22, 2011

Herald Sun

Rollercoaster ride no fun for Bailey
By Jackie Epstein

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has not ruled out a return to the VFL for out-of-form star Aaron Davey, who struggled against St Kilda. Davey finished with just nine possessions and was involved in a disappointing second quarter incident when he didn't go back hard enough to mark the ball. Bailey said Davey knew it was a poor effort. "I don't think it's a highlight that any player would want to have," Bailey said. "But probably confidence (is lacking) to go back. He got closely tagged today on a half-back flank and he didn't play well. "Aaron would be the first one to sit here and say 'I didn't perform at a level that I should'. He's pretty honest with his assessment. He was very disappointed with his effort after the game. Particularly this round (Indigenous Round)." Bailey said he would need time to make an assessment on whether Davey needed a spell.

Ugly Saints alive at last
By Jackie Epstein

IT LOOKED like a game no one wanted to win for three quarters but ended up being a classic case of "winning ugly" for St Kilda. Last year's grand finalist had been faltering with just one win and a draw. And, while it wasn't pretty to watch, the 20-point win came with a bonus - the return to form of Brendon Goddard and Nick Riewoldt. Both stars had an influence and showed shades of their best. The spotlight will now fall on out-of-touch Demon Aaron Davey, who continues to struggle. More positive for Melbourne was the performance of debutant Michael Evans, finishing with 27 possessions and five tackles. But the side was dealt another injury blow when Luke Tapscott went off early with a hamstring injury. St Kilda made the most of its chances, particularly through the work of Leigh Montagna, who was dangerous all game.

The Age

Saints rise to beat Demons
By AAP

St Kilda stars Nick Riewoldt and Brendon Goddard showed promising signs of form as the club posted a much-needed win over a disappointing Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. The Saints led for much of the day and, while the Demons fought back to level the scores in the third quarter, St Kilda pulled away to win 16.10 (106) to 13.8 (86). The loss builds the pressure on Melbourne coach Dean Bailey, with his side's thumping 96-point win over Adelaide in round seven shining like a beacon among poor defeats to West Coast, North Melbourne and the Saints in their past four games.

Demons cold, Port worse
By AAP

AN AARON Davey shocker against St Kilda will sting even more for the Melbourne star because it came in the AFL's indigenous round, coach Dean Bailey believes. The Melbourne vice-captain, normally damaging with his pace and skills, barely contributed at Etihad Stadium yesterday with just nine touches, while opponent Clinton Jones had 22 disposals and a goal. But harder to take than Davey's lack of positive impact was the two goals he gave away. Yesterday afternoon's other game was in Adelaide, where Fremantle coach Mark Harvey was forced to sympathise with the plight of counterpart Matthew Primus after crushing straggler Port Adelaide by 52 points. It is Primus's eighth loss in nine starts this season.

Davey's dirty day has coach pondering star's 'best fit'
By Chloe Saltau

MELBOURNE'S continuing injury crisis might save Aaron Davey from the axe but coach Dean Bailey admitted the out-of-form Demon had a dirty day in yesterday's honourable loss to St Kilda. While the Saints took a small step forward, notching their second win for the season by 20 points at Etihad Stadium, the problems mounted for Melbourne when bright young defender Luke Tapscott hurt his hamstring. Bailey blamed Davey's sagging confidence for a forgettable moment in the second quarter when he opted not to go back for a mark, and did not rule out dropping him for Friday night's game against Carlton. ''I don't think it is a highlight any player would want to have,'' Bailey said of the decision not to contest the mark. The Melbourne vice-captain was tagged out of the game by Clint Jones, touching the ball nine times, and was well below his best with his trademark kicking and tackling.