COACH Dean Bailey says getting through two NAB Cup matches unscathed was just as critical as progressing through to the next round.
The Demons defeated Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night to advance into the second phase of the NAB Cup.
But with 10 players missing through injury, including six to eight week injuries to James Frawley (pectoral muscle) and Cale Morton (finger), Bailey breathed a sigh of relief no more were added to the list.
"We came here wanting to play as well as we could with the different format and all the different rules involved in it. It was always going to be an experience,” he said.
“We're pleased we got through the game with no injuries, which was just as important as winning the game.”
Bailey said one of the most pleasing aspects of the match was seeing some youngsters in action.
“Some of our young guys I thought showed some glimpses in there,” he said.
“In the first game young [Michael] Evans showed a little bit, which was good for us.
“It was just nice to see Sam Blease play because it's been a long time since he's even played at this level, so for him to get 10 or 15 minutes was really pleasing for him. He was nervous and excited about getting those 15 minutes, which was great."
The Demons defeated Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night to advance into the second phase of the NAB Cup.
But with 10 players missing through injury, including six to eight week injuries to James Frawley (pectoral muscle) and Cale Morton (finger), Bailey breathed a sigh of relief no more were added to the list.
"We came here wanting to play as well as we could with the different format and all the different rules involved in it. It was always going to be an experience,” he said.
“We're pleased we got through the game with no injuries, which was just as important as winning the game.”
Bailey said one of the most pleasing aspects of the match was seeing some youngsters in action.
“Some of our young guys I thought showed some glimpses in there,” he said.
“In the first game young [Michael] Evans showed a little bit, which was good for us.
“It was just nice to see Sam Blease play because it's been a long time since he's even played at this level, so for him to get 10 or 15 minutes was really pleasing for him. He was nervous and excited about getting those 15 minutes, which was great."
Bailey said tall forward Jack Watts, now in his third season, also took further steps in his development.
"Every minute of experience he plays is going to be important for Wattsy,” he said.
“He took a couple of really nice contested marks and his goalkicking has always been pretty good. He's put some weight on and he'll continue to put weight on during the year and going into next year.
“He's very keen to do well and he's very much a team player. He's got one game under his belt and the next week he plays he'll be tested because he's a first-round draft pick. He's working hard on his game and he's had a good pre-season."
As for the dazzling Liam Jurrah, who again produced some tricks, Bailey said the Northern Territorian’s greatest challenge is staying durable for the season.
"LJ's got a real test in front of him; whether he can get the 22 games into him during the home-and-away season will be a really good test,” he said.
“He's a fantastic player, who's played 17 games, so let's wait and see what he can produce in a full season first. He's got a very smart footy brain and we're pretty happy to have him in - whatever burst he plays for us."
"We'll sit down with the fitness staff over the next week and plan out the next three games. Match practice is really important, but some of the guys will certainly get opportunities to rest in games or miss games and I think he would be one of them.
He's done most of the pre-season, so that was a pleasing aspect of this year compared to last year."
"Every minute of experience he plays is going to be important for Wattsy,” he said.
“He took a couple of really nice contested marks and his goalkicking has always been pretty good. He's put some weight on and he'll continue to put weight on during the year and going into next year.
“He's very keen to do well and he's very much a team player. He's got one game under his belt and the next week he plays he'll be tested because he's a first-round draft pick. He's working hard on his game and he's had a good pre-season."
As for the dazzling Liam Jurrah, who again produced some tricks, Bailey said the Northern Territorian’s greatest challenge is staying durable for the season.
"LJ's got a real test in front of him; whether he can get the 22 games into him during the home-and-away season will be a really good test,” he said.
“He's a fantastic player, who's played 17 games, so let's wait and see what he can produce in a full season first. He's got a very smart footy brain and we're pretty happy to have him in - whatever burst he plays for us."
"We'll sit down with the fitness staff over the next week and plan out the next three games. Match practice is really important, but some of the guys will certainly get opportunities to rest in games or miss games and I think he would be one of them.
He's done most of the pre-season, so that was a pleasing aspect of this year compared to last year."
