A bold move from the MFC and its directors. They stayed committed to the process and deserve credit for that.

Since Bailey is relatively unknown, the marketing of this club may be somewhat lessened than if Sheedy were to have been given the nod, membership too (given the year from hell).

I just hope that the MFC really know what they are doing, a gutsy decision to appoint basically an unknown, if it pays off kudos, if it doesn't............ i don't even want to go there.

As it has been well documented, this decision can either make or break us. We cannot afford to be back in the same place in another 10 years. Lets hope it pays off.

Welcome Dean, may you be the savior that turns the MFC's fortunes around. I bloody hope you are!!!

Mark Riley summed it up perfectly in his press conference:

"You saw the field of the last five candidates - there was a myriad of experiences and ages - for Dean Bailey to win that you would have to say ... he's obviously a very, very special man to come out number one in that pool," he said.

His coaching experience is also unquestionably impressive:

Bailey played 53 games for the Bombers between 1986 and 1992 and coached Mr Gravatt in Queensland before returning to Essendon in a development role in 2000, which brought a premiership to Windy Hill. He joined Port Adelaide in 2002 and was part of the Power's 2004 premiership-winning coaching panel.

It's really hard to know if this was the right the decision obviously. But I think the decision must have been based on his recent success with PA and Essendon. He is an absolute unknown, and it was therefore seen that the most important thing wasn't just to get a coach that could raise our profile, i.e. Sheedy. This I am assuming is a focus to make this current team successful, so from that perspective, the decision is indeed the correct one!

Sheedy would have been invaluable for us in terms of marketing, and building a stonger more visible brand amongst the football community, I was hoping (if hired) he could weed out some of the 'soft' insipid footballers and just make us generally stronger and more competitive in terms of our culture. I thought he could have served a purpose, but unfortunately I think his record in the last 6 years has been appaling, and was probably the determining factor.

Not sure really if Bailey has any clue, just because I don't know what sort of role he plays at PA, and what sort of game plan PA has besides, 'pass it to the Corne's brothers'. Will be interesting, and more importantly integral to my faith in this club, and knowing they are capable of making correct decisions for the success of this club.

Such a hard decision to make, I think honestly the coaching job is quite overrated, but still important. I wish him well, and let's hope the Dees can get back to where they belong!!!

C'mon Bailey, show us some passion!

p.s. sorry for any spelling mistakes, typing fast

To put it into persepective for the young 'uns, its like Simon Godfrey or Ryan Ferguson getting a senior coaching gig 15 years down the track, no offence to those two guys but thats about where Bailey was in Essendons pecking order back then in terms of skill and leadership...

hahah just got me imagining Simon Godfrey as an AFL coach.

Well i am genuinely excited. The decision is made now on with 2008. Wish this game on Sunday was already over. cant wait for the draft and the pre-season.

GO DEES!

Just as Malcolm Blight and Dennis Pagan achieved greatness at St.Kilda and Carlton respectively.

Visionary appointment imho.

Exactly.

Sheedy was a great Coach. On the evidence of Essendon's performances since the 2000 Flag his best days are past him.

Outstanding choice.

Well done MFC

Very happy with the decision a fresh start, Im excited about the future.

I feel born again.

Dean

Please be RUTHLESS with culling the list, and be aggressive in trade week

And make the players fear and respect you

And if the Bruces and Johstones etc.. shirk a contest or dont go hard enough at training, as a paying member I give you the right to physically and mentally abuse them, and wear them down til they learn something about self discipline and playing hard footy

Thanks

I'm happy with that. I wanted someone different. I'm glad they just didn't go with sheeds just for his name. I either wanted hardwick or bailey. He obviously did a very good presentation. Everyone laughed when the hawks appointed clarko. Bailey has been involved with essendon in the 2000 premiership and the port one as well. In all the time he has been assistant coach he has only missed the finals once, so he has the finals experience. I know he wasn't the main coach but he would have had a huge part in the wins. I'd say well done melbourne and I'm looking foward to next year. I know there will be people who wanted someone else but I think we should get behind him and support him. Good luck Dean.

they've looked at hawks and thought they don't have to get a 'name' coach, just someone with new and fresh ideas, lets hope alls well

time wil tell , but bring on 2208

Welcome Bald badger (i like that nickname) may your future with the MFC be covered in glory and many a flag!

Yeah I'll be calling him that for the next three years.

Lets hope it catches on.

BAILEY THE BALD BADGER IN 2008 AND BEYOND.

GO DEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck Dean Bailey! While it would have been exciting to appoint Sheedy I am glad that we stuck to the process and appointed the coach we think is most likely to win us a premiership and not merely the most popular one. This is a well considered decision and I have complete faith in the appointment. I don't see any reason for Melbourne supporters not to be happy. I eagerly await next season so that we can actually see what he is like on match day.

Welcome DB!

May your appointment bring us great continued success!

If this guy can beat over 100+ candiates with the calibre as Sheedy, Bond, Mckenna etc then I can't argue with that!

For those who want Sheedy for his marketing potential then whats not to say that Bailey cant sell ice cream to the eskimos?

Daniher wasn't much chop when he arrived but we soon saw a mighty transformation in The Reverend...

And if Connolly jumps on board, he has proven record in building membership levels which would be a bonus.

Trust the board and get behind DB in 2008 and beyond!

I am suprised. Sheedy was the obvious choice and I am disappointed he did not get the gig. In my opinion Melbourne more than any team needs media exposure, sponorship and members. Sheedy would have delivered this. I hope the board have got this decision right.

Saying that though Bailey clearly beat a very good list of prospects including Sheedy. Thus he must have shown plenty to get the gig.

Very disappointed, I feel oppertunity lost not taking Sheeds.

However, good luck to Bailey. He was not my choice but he has my full support.

time wil tell , but bring on 2208

How many premierships should we have had by then? :D

Fabulous - exactly what I wanted (Well I actually wanted Sheeds!) Anyway, as has been said above, he is obviously an impressive man being able to take one and defeat the other candidates. Hopefully the start of some good times ahead for us all..........

Kevin Sheedy will always be remembered as a Richmond/Essendon man. Here's hoping Mr Bailey will be know as the legendary Melbourne coach.

Kevin Sheedy will always be remembered as a Richmond/Essendon man. Here's hoping Mr Bailey will be know as the legendary Melbourne coach.

I like the way you looked at that deesrock......

It is funny that reading through here most of the disappointment regarding Sheedy not being appointed has more to do with what he could bring to the club off-field rather than what he could have brought to the table on-field. This is unbelievably important, especially to us but it is not the biggest factor in the decision.

And while I understand, and do agree to a point, with this sentiment, what a coach can bring to the club in regards to the on-field stuff (success will help the rest anyway) should probably be more important in regards to the decision that is being made. At least at this stage. The other stuff will come, as it did with Daniher.

But as important as club marketing is, on-field success is more important and obviously Bailey ticked those boxes more than any other.

Hurrah.

Glad we chose a guy to Coach.

Get someone else to pimp the Club.

Nicely said

Welcome to the MFC Dean Bailey. You have my approval

Go the MFC in 2008 and beyond

looks more like kekovich to me

welcome bails ,looking forward to your work?

whosd taking over from Fagan?

hmm coached mt gravatt, brad millers old club

Great News the "process" is complete ... People can now STOP jumping at shadows and move forward.

As Supporters ... Lets ALL unite behind our new exciting coach, support him 110%.

As Supporters ... Lets also not put anybody off-side we had many top quality candidates apply for the job.

As Supporters ... Lets during the upcoming draft period be constructive and not "belittle" our players, lets treat them with respect.

GO DEES ... 2008 IS GOING TO BE GREAT

:D :D :D

Get someone else to pimp the Club.

I had a feeling that the sixth candidate was Xzibit...

I had a feeling that the sixth candidate was Xzibit...

gold

What an exciting day. Despite the news not breaking as the MFC had planned, I'm rapt at Bailey's appointment and optimistically loking forward to next year and beyond. I would love to have been a fly on the wall during Bailey's presentations. It sounds like he was very impressive.

All the best to Dean in what will hopefully be a long and successful stint at the Melbourne Football Club.

Posted by me on 20/08/07:

It will either be Sheedy or Bailey!!!

Mark my words.... Living here in Adelaide and being involved in local footy has given me a nice insight into the workings of Dean Bailey.....

The bloke was a shyte player, but his coaching prospects are enormous! Mark Williams is no mug! Port have done some amazing things over the last 5 years and Bailey has flown under the radar a bit in the media....

He is the real deal...

Just a shameless boasting post!! :D