COACH Dean Bailey says a perceived rift between he and chief executive Cameron Schwab is laughable.
Speaking from Casey Fields on Friday, Bailey said the notion that it was happening couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I know it surprises me, but Cameron and I have actually got a very good working relationship and have done ever since he’s been appointed,” he said.
“It’s incorrect to suggest there is any rift at all between the both of us - it’s almost comical to be honest.
“But that’s the scrutiny we’ve been under from the media, the press, and that’s just not factual.
“Cameron’s been a great support since I’ve had the job, so have Jim [Stynes] and Connolls (Chris Connolly) and everyone else.”
Bailey said his main aim, along with Stynes, Schwab and Connolly is to continue rebuilding the club.
“As a club, we’ve set about setting the football club, the culture of the club and rebuilding a list, so we can gain the advantage in the coming years,” he said.
“It’s all about now. We’ve drafted a lot of young players and we’ve got to get on with the business. People want to see Melbourne perform effectively, and they want to see players continually have a crack during the game.
“That was the case last year, and we need to improve in that area this year. We’re very united behind the plan, and nothing has changed in the plan.
“We had a poor week last week, and again, the ability to respond has got to be on Sunday, so we think we’ll be on the front foot come Sunday at the first bounce when the siren goes.”
Bailey said he couldn’t work out why perceived factions were being created or talked about.
“You’ll have to talk to those people who are creating the stories,” he said.
“We’re under the scrutiny, so therefore people’s interpretations are what they are, but that’s what it is at the moment - we’re under scrutiny and people are prepared to try and find hairline factures or little stories here and there.
“The plan we’ve got in place hasn’t changed and we’ll stick to it, and we’ll get our players experience through playing and the experience of what they’re going through right now.
“It’s a great opportunity for our players to respond on Sunday.
“What happens externally - we can’t control. All we know is that we’ve got our head down, our bum up and we’re working as hard as we can to turn the result around on Sunday.”
“I know it surprises me, but Cameron and I have actually got a very good working relationship and have done ever since he’s been appointed,” he said.
“It’s incorrect to suggest there is any rift at all between the both of us - it’s almost comical to be honest.
“But that’s the scrutiny we’ve been under from the media, the press, and that’s just not factual.
“Cameron’s been a great support since I’ve had the job, so have Jim [Stynes] and Connolls (Chris Connolly) and everyone else.”
Bailey said his main aim, along with Stynes, Schwab and Connolly is to continue rebuilding the club.
“As a club, we’ve set about setting the football club, the culture of the club and rebuilding a list, so we can gain the advantage in the coming years,” he said.
“It’s all about now. We’ve drafted a lot of young players and we’ve got to get on with the business. People want to see Melbourne perform effectively, and they want to see players continually have a crack during the game.
“That was the case last year, and we need to improve in that area this year. We’re very united behind the plan, and nothing has changed in the plan.
“We had a poor week last week, and again, the ability to respond has got to be on Sunday, so we think we’ll be on the front foot come Sunday at the first bounce when the siren goes.”
Bailey said he couldn’t work out why perceived factions were being created or talked about.
“You’ll have to talk to those people who are creating the stories,” he said.
“We’re under the scrutiny, so therefore people’s interpretations are what they are, but that’s what it is at the moment - we’re under scrutiny and people are prepared to try and find hairline factures or little stories here and there.
“The plan we’ve got in place hasn’t changed and we’ll stick to it, and we’ll get our players experience through playing and the experience of what they’re going through right now.
“It’s a great opportunity for our players to respond on Sunday.
“What happens externally - we can’t control. All we know is that we’ve got our head down, our bum up and we’re working as hard as we can to turn the result around on Sunday.”
