COACH Dean Bailey says the draw should be kept as it is in the home-and-away season.
Speaking after his side drew with Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday, the fourth-year Melbourne coach was asked if wanted a rule change for a draw.
Although he acknowledged he hadn’t given the issue much thought, he didn’t believe altering it was necessary.
“I think home-and-away [matches should have] a draw, but finals are extra time,” Bailey said.
“If it was extra time, then it’d be 10 minutes each quarter, rather than just who scores - I don’t think that’s a viable option.
“But I think the system the way it is now is fine.”
Despite being involved in a draw, Bailey said it was the type of match all football followers wanted to be a part of.
“If you’ve ever played the game, you’d love to be involved in it - that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“It’s how hard you’re prepared to go, when the game’s on the line … an unfamiliar feeling like that doesn’t happen that often.”
Asked if Melbourne would’ve drawn that match a year ago - on the back of a 24-point deficit in the third quarter - Bailey doubted it.
“I’m not sure. I certainly think we’ve got better in that area 12 months on,” he said.
“I know our players are certainly physically stronger from what we’ve moved in the weights room.
“But maybe not. I think that’s part of the improvement of the team.”
With James Frawley, Cale Morton, Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie all sidelined through injury in round one, Bailey was relieved to come through the match unscathed.
“For us to have no injuries out of it was an outstanding performance … if you have a look at the last few games that have been played - there has always been injuries,” he said.
Speaking after his side drew with Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday, the fourth-year Melbourne coach was asked if wanted a rule change for a draw.
Although he acknowledged he hadn’t given the issue much thought, he didn’t believe altering it was necessary.
“I think home-and-away [matches should have] a draw, but finals are extra time,” Bailey said.
“If it was extra time, then it’d be 10 minutes each quarter, rather than just who scores - I don’t think that’s a viable option.
“But I think the system the way it is now is fine.”
Despite being involved in a draw, Bailey said it was the type of match all football followers wanted to be a part of.
“If you’ve ever played the game, you’d love to be involved in it - that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“It’s how hard you’re prepared to go, when the game’s on the line … an unfamiliar feeling like that doesn’t happen that often.”
Asked if Melbourne would’ve drawn that match a year ago - on the back of a 24-point deficit in the third quarter - Bailey doubted it.
“I’m not sure. I certainly think we’ve got better in that area 12 months on,” he said.
“I know our players are certainly physically stronger from what we’ve moved in the weights room.
“But maybe not. I think that’s part of the improvement of the team.”
With James Frawley, Cale Morton, Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie all sidelined through injury in round one, Bailey was relieved to come through the match unscathed.
“For us to have no injuries out of it was an outstanding performance … if you have a look at the last few games that have been played - there has always been injuries,” he said.
