COACH Dean Bailey could coach from the interchange again this Sunday against Essendon at the MCG, after he trailed it for the first time last round.
Bailey guided the Demons from the Etihad Stadium bench against St Kilda last Sunday and is now considering coaching from the ‘G for the first time this weekend. He said the ability to deliver instant feedback and have involvement with his players proved beneficial.
“I haven’t really finalised it yet with the rest of the match committee, but I must admit that I found last week a lot better than I thought,” he said from his Friday media conference at AAMI Park.
“There’s always that helicopter view looking down at the ground, compared to what you can have on the bench. I found the direct communication with the players a really exciting element of being down on the bench.
“The feedback from the players and the discussion with the players was that they enjoyed some immediate feedback, rather than just on the phone, because we do use the phone pretty often from upstairs.”
After a frustrating performance against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 13 and a final term fadeout against St Kilda last round, Bailey said his team needs to be aggressive at the ball and hunt the Bombers.
“I don’t see why we’re not on the front foot to be honest. Our form hasn’t been great. We were very, very disappointing in Adelaide and I thought our last quarter against the Saints was disappointing, considering the number of inside 50s we had,” he said.
“I expect us to be on the front foot. There’s no doubt that we need to be making things happen in the game and we need to be on the front foot, right at the start of the game.
“Both clubs have got a lot to play for and I think the physical part of it will certainly be bringing our best attitude and approach at the start of the game. It’s important for us to get off to a good start [because] we were OK against the Saints … at least we worked our way back into the game at quarter-time.”
With Melbourne launching its Debt Demolition campaign on Thursday, Bailey was full of praise for the Jim Stynes-led board and the club’s supporters, who have rallied behind the cause.
“The Debt Demolition has been a remarkable effort, not only from Jim leading the charge, but the board has been outstanding and our members and supporters have been quite inspirational, to be honest with you. They’ve just been outstanding with where the club’s been at in the last couple of years,” he said.
“I know Schwabby (Cameron Schwab), Jimmy and myself have certainly tried to be as inclusive and as honest about where our football club’s at and where we’re going.
“For the people to continue to donate and get this great club back to an even playing field, from a debt point of view, has been quite remarkable. We’re fortunate that Jimmy stepped in at the time and he’s been a great inspiration for us all.
“I think it’s been an amazing experience and an amazing effort from everyone, who has contributed.”
Bailey guided the Demons from the Etihad Stadium bench against St Kilda last Sunday and is now considering coaching from the ‘G for the first time this weekend. He said the ability to deliver instant feedback and have involvement with his players proved beneficial.
“I haven’t really finalised it yet with the rest of the match committee, but I must admit that I found last week a lot better than I thought,” he said from his Friday media conference at AAMI Park.
“There’s always that helicopter view looking down at the ground, compared to what you can have on the bench. I found the direct communication with the players a really exciting element of being down on the bench.
“The feedback from the players and the discussion with the players was that they enjoyed some immediate feedback, rather than just on the phone, because we do use the phone pretty often from upstairs.”
After a frustrating performance against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 13 and a final term fadeout against St Kilda last round, Bailey said his team needs to be aggressive at the ball and hunt the Bombers.
“I don’t see why we’re not on the front foot to be honest. Our form hasn’t been great. We were very, very disappointing in Adelaide and I thought our last quarter against the Saints was disappointing, considering the number of inside 50s we had,” he said.
“I expect us to be on the front foot. There’s no doubt that we need to be making things happen in the game and we need to be on the front foot, right at the start of the game.
“Both clubs have got a lot to play for and I think the physical part of it will certainly be bringing our best attitude and approach at the start of the game. It’s important for us to get off to a good start [because] we were OK against the Saints … at least we worked our way back into the game at quarter-time.”
With Melbourne launching its Debt Demolition campaign on Thursday, Bailey was full of praise for the Jim Stynes-led board and the club’s supporters, who have rallied behind the cause.
“The Debt Demolition has been a remarkable effort, not only from Jim leading the charge, but the board has been outstanding and our members and supporters have been quite inspirational, to be honest with you. They’ve just been outstanding with where the club’s been at in the last couple of years,” he said.
“I know Schwabby (Cameron Schwab), Jimmy and myself have certainly tried to be as inclusive and as honest about where our football club’s at and where we’re going.
“For the people to continue to donate and get this great club back to an even playing field, from a debt point of view, has been quite remarkable. We’re fortunate that Jimmy stepped in at the time and he’s been a great inspiration for us all.
“I think it’s been an amazing experience and an amazing effort from everyone, who has contributed.”
