DEAN Bailey says Friday night’s 33-point win over Essendon at the MCG wasn’t the best moment of his senior coaching career.
Although he hinted it was right up there, Bailey said Melbourne's fourth win of the season will lead to greater times.
“It was an important game, but the best moment I’ve had is when I got the phone call to say I was Melbourne coach,” he said.
“There are going to be better moments coming. [It] was important, just because of what’s happened in the past two or three weeks.
“We were challenged and the great thing about our players was when we got challenged ... they dug deep.”
Bailey was particularly pleased with some of his younger chargers and improved Demons.
He said the contributions from returned duo Tom Scully and Jack Trengove - the respective 2009 No.1 and No.2 NAB AFL Draft picks - were significant in the win.
“They’ve very competitive young men and they’re going to be playing a lot of footy together in the next 12 or 13 years, playing at the same club,” Bailey said.
“Hopefully at the end of their long career, they’re going to be satisfied with what they deliver.
“They were two of 22 and to not mention the other 20 would be disappointing. The other 20 were just as good I reckon.”
Bailey also spoke highly of midfielder Jordan Gysberts, who notched up a career-best 30 disposals.
“Gys has always been on the edge of playing well and his contribution again was terrific,” he said.
“He’s just a very good player and he’s just a natural footballer.”
Versatile big man Stef Martin, who has stepped up in the absence of injured ruckman Mark Jamar, also earned praise from Bailey.
“Steffy has been a real find. He had a good pre-season and he’s building confidence each week and he’s very agile and very athletic,” he said.
“He's continued playing consistently over the last three or four weeks and the opportunity came with Russian coming out.
“I’m very pleased with his development and he’s a terrific young bloke and I hope he can play better next week.”
Although he hinted it was right up there, Bailey said Melbourne's fourth win of the season will lead to greater times.
“It was an important game, but the best moment I’ve had is when I got the phone call to say I was Melbourne coach,” he said.
“There are going to be better moments coming. [It] was important, just because of what’s happened in the past two or three weeks.
“We were challenged and the great thing about our players was when we got challenged ... they dug deep.”
Bailey was particularly pleased with some of his younger chargers and improved Demons.
He said the contributions from returned duo Tom Scully and Jack Trengove - the respective 2009 No.1 and No.2 NAB AFL Draft picks - were significant in the win.
“They’ve very competitive young men and they’re going to be playing a lot of footy together in the next 12 or 13 years, playing at the same club,” Bailey said.
“Hopefully at the end of their long career, they’re going to be satisfied with what they deliver.
“They were two of 22 and to not mention the other 20 would be disappointing. The other 20 were just as good I reckon.”
Bailey also spoke highly of midfielder Jordan Gysberts, who notched up a career-best 30 disposals.
“Gys has always been on the edge of playing well and his contribution again was terrific,” he said.
“He’s just a very good player and he’s just a natural footballer.”
Versatile big man Stef Martin, who has stepped up in the absence of injured ruckman Mark Jamar, also earned praise from Bailey.
“Steffy has been a real find. He had a good pre-season and he’s building confidence each week and he’s very agile and very athletic,” he said.
“He's continued playing consistently over the last three or four weeks and the opportunity came with Russian coming out.
“I’m very pleased with his development and he’s a terrific young bloke and I hope he can play better next week.”
