With Melbourne set to take on Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday, it will be a fascinating showdown between two of the in-form ruckmen in the competition.
Regardless of who the All-Australian selectors are thinking at this stage, Bailey did not want to sway them either way.
“I think there are a number of ruckmen you could look at,” he said at his media conference at Gosch’s Paddock on Thursday.
“I’m sure Mark is one of those players the All-Australian committee could look at to determine. To me, I think Sandilands is the guy who’s out in front at the moment. I don’t think there would be too many people who would dismiss that.
“I think he’s had a fantastic year. He’s a terrific player and seems to be getting better and better. He’s a great concern to all clubs who are playing against them.”
Looking ahead to its round 16 clash, Bailey said the trip across the Nullarbor would be a genuine challenge for his team.
“The home ground advantage for interstate clubs is quite substantial,” he said.
“Regardless of where they are on the ladder - the higher up they are like Fremantle - they have a great deal of confidence to get to train and play on the same ground. Whereas we train (at AAMI Park) and we play on a different ground.
“They’re very keen to redeem themselves from last week’s [loss to Richmond] and we’re very keen to try and keep our consistency going. We’re playing against a top four team that will be in the finals at the end of the year, so it’s a good challenge for us.”
Meanwhile, Bailey praised the efforts of Fremantle coach Mark Harvey.
Although Bailey poked fun at his former Essendon teammate and coaching colleague, he was full of admiration for the way Harvey had gone about his job over in the west.
“Harves has always had interesting dress sense to be honest. He’s got some great shoes, Harves and he’s always been known for his great fashion sense. The ice hockey jackets he used to wear were prominent. I know [his wife] Donna dresses him very well with the shoes and everything. You’d have to go through his cupboard, it’d be an eclectic operation to go through his wardrobe, but I’ve got great respect for Mark,” he said.
“I was at Essendon in 2000-01. To be in the match committee room with Harves, Shawry (Robert Shaw) and Sheeds (Kevin Sheedy) was outstanding. I think Harves has done an amazing job to be honest from where they’ve been. I’ve got great respect for him and what he’s done for the footy club over the last two years.
“He was a very unique player, Harves. He could play any position. He could kick the freaky goal and ended up playing centre half-back. I take my hat off to him.”
But both coaches will be desperate to secure the four points, as he explained.
“I think there is always a degree of competitiveness. Although we might be smiling and shaking hands before the game, I know at the end of the game that both of us are prepared to go the whole way to win. I don’t think there would be any shadow of a doubt about that,” Bailey said.
