Youngsters get their reward
Demons coach Dean Bailey says his greatest satisfaction comes from watching the joy on the players' faces
Bailey took delight in watching the players savour the eight-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
"That's a great reward for a coach to see your players actually enjoying, today, the reward after two hours of hard work," he said.
The second-season Melbourne coach was also pleased for several other groups within the red and blue faithful.
"It's a nice win to have for the club. It's a nice win for our supporters and it's a good opportunity for my assistant coaches, who work really hard," Bailey said.
"Mark Williams is our midfield coach and he's put a lot of hours into it. Sean Wellman and Josh Mahoney have and David Loats, our ruck coach, has been terrific. Scotty West has been involved in the stoppages as well.
"They get a bit of confidence as well and they also get a bit of a reward as well, but the game is about the players, so they deserve a pat on the back for two hours today."
Asked why he did not join in with the players, when they sang the club's theme song post-match, Bailey said he was simply a facilitator.
"The game is not about me or anyone else – the players play the game and they're the ones who train for six months and they're the ones who push the weights," he said.
"We don't want to get too carried away with ourselves."
Although Bailey said Melbourne's challenge now was to back up that performance against Adelaide at the MCG next round, he added that the win would give his players some confidence.
"Belief comes to its crescendo when wins become continual," Bailey said.