Bailey on 3AW

[joeboy 3,166]

He was interviewed by Demon supporter Nick McCallum (in the absence of an ill Neil Mitchell) to discuss the intricacies and difficulties facing him with the ' toughest gig in town '.

I was aware beforehand that he was a very impressive speaker but from the first moment that he spoke of the 'excitement and honour 'of coaching such a ' great club ', I knew we had a fine man heading us into the future.

He claimed to be not daunted at all by the 3 losses, though obviously he'd have preferred the alternative, but he had no reason to believe that his game plan was not the correct route to take, and that the players would ultimately come to grips with it and the coaching panel's philosophies, with the commensurate improvement in performance.

He spoke of the frustrations with having no set pre season training base, and how he had stood in awe yesterday when the goal posts were finally installed at The Junction Oval, whilst he remarked how vital it was that the club embraced the notion of setting up summer training facilities at Casey, noting that we were ranked 16th (and last) in Auskick numbers, reflecting the small numbers of youngsters attracted to the club. Initiatives such as this in huge growth corridoors such as Cranbourne would, he claimed, have a flow on effect on membership in future years.

Only time will tell if the Board has made the correct decision in appointing him, but if first impressions and confidence are anything to go by then we have the makings of a great coach.

[Mousey 47]

i have been very impressed with everything he has said and done since being appointed.

Its going to take time to get good results on field but i have no doubt we made the right decision.

[robbo24 66]

i will be impressed when we win games

[Mousey 47]

see thats wat pisses me off when people say stuff like- he will impress when we start winning games.

I find it a blessing in disguise we have played the hawks, dogs and cats for the first three games and lost. If we played rich, carlton and some one else and were 3-0 then the 'review' of the list may not happen till round 11, round 22? I find it that we are ahead of schedual as we are seeing who of the players on the list are not cutting it and who doesnt mold into the new game plan. Round 6 comes along then we will have all those answers through these tough times. Its a change of an era at MFC and im excited even if we dont win 1 dam game this year.

[Deeoldfart 8,065]

i will be impressed when we win games

In that case, I expect you will start being impressed fairly soon.

I am impressed already!!

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

He also thanked the band of supporters that went to Geelong & said they all deserve a pat on the back!

[mo64 5,881]

see thats wat pisses me off when people say stuff like- he will impress when we start winning games.

I find it a blessing in disguise we have played the hawks, dogs and cats for the first three games and lost. If we played rich, carlton and some one else and were 3-0 then the 'review' of the list may not happen till round 11, round 22? I find it that we are ahead of schedual as we are seeing who of the players on the list are not cutting it and who doesnt mold into the new game plan. Round 6 comes along then we will have all those answers through these tough times. Its a change of an era at MFC and im excited even if we dont win 1 dam game this year.

No, what pisses me off is that many on this forum believe that Bailey's new game plan is faultless, and that a review of our list will be the cure to all our woes.

Our list has some shortcomings, but is not that bad. The nature of the draft and trade week means that there are no guarantees that our list will get dramatically better over the next 2 seasons. If we cull talented players unable to grasp Bailey's game plan, who do we replace them with?

BTW, I'd like someone to ask him why Moloney, Newton and Petterd didn't play for Sandy last week.

[The Emblem 1]

He also thanked the band of supporters that went to Geelong & said they all deserve a pat on the back!

668 "The Neighbour of the Beast"

That is a ripper...well done

[grazman 7,451]

I was pretty happy that he was the best man for the job after he got through a pretty thorough process as a virtual unknown. If there were any seeds of doubt they were completely blown away when he presented his views on coaching up here in Canberra.

There are three things you immediately feel when you hear him talk, firstly he's extremely intelligent - he understands the game and importantly can communicate that, secondly he is extremely confident, not in an arrogant sense, but he knows what he wants to achieve, how to do it, finally he's determined, absolutely 100% committed to success and while that may sound trite in relation to any league coach or player, he's a tough cookie and will expect that of the players.

It doesn't surprise me he doesn't sound fazed by the losses. He would have had an understanding of our list from an outsiders perspective, but he would have seen pretty quickly that the transition was obviously going to take some time and casualties.

[Mousey 47]

No, what pisses me off is that many on this forum believe that Bailey's new game plan is faultless, and that a review of our list will be the cure to all our woes.

Our list has some shortcomings, but is not that bad. The nature of the draft and trade week means that there are no guarantees that our list will get dramatically better over the next 2 seasons. If we cull talented players unable to grasp Bailey's game plan, who do we replace them with?

BTW, I'd like someone to ask him why Moloney, Newton and Petterd didn't play for Sandy last week.

Would you like to state who of these players you think are not that bad?

Baileys new game plan will take time like it took time for clarkson at hawthorne like it takes time anywhere!

Moloney legs are not good still, and Petterd not 100% right somewhere either. Newton on the other hand i dont know, heard it may be attitude related and if that is the case, good on whoever it is not letting him play till he knuckles down and gets that right.

[Mousey 47]

someone on ology said that Beamer has had a sore quad and will play this weekend...source- beamer

[grazman 7,451]

No, what pisses me off is that many on this forum believe that Bailey's new game plan is faultless, and that a review of our list will be the cure to all our woes.

Our list has some shortcomings, but is not that bad. The nature of the draft and trade week means that there are no guarantees that our list will get dramatically better over the next 2 seasons. If we cull talented players unable to grasp Bailey's game plan, who do we replace them with?

I see the obvious solution here, keep changing game plans until we start winning and then stick to it like glue. Absolutely under no circumstances should we review our list - we'll be a pioneer amongst league clubs. By all means lets keep talented players with poor attitudes. We've already traded Trapper unfortunately, but maybe we can get someone like Chris Tarrant in a trade

[Damo 3,375]

I was pretty happy that he was the best man for the job after he got through a pretty thorough process as a virtual unknown. If there were any seeds of doubt they were completely blown away when he presented his views on coaching up here in Canberra.

There are three things you immediately feel when you hear him talk, firstly he's extremely intelligent - he understands the game and importantly can communicate that, secondly he is extremely confident, not in an arrogant sense, but he knows what he wants to achieve, how to do it, finally he's determined, absolutely 100% committed to success and while that may sound trite in relation to any league coach or player, he's a tough cookie and will expect that of the players.

It doesn't surprise me he doesn't sound fazed by the losses. He would have had an understanding of our list from an outsiders perspective, but he would have seen pretty quickly that the transition was obviously going to take some time and casualties.

Im sorry Graz. I dont share the same faith. Those words above could easily have been describing Neil Balme or Neale Daniher in their first year.

I didnt hear what he said in Canberra, but you have referred to it before. As I rate your thoughts on how the game should be played Im sure it comes in second behind the Gettysburg address.

He isnt getting many players to "play for him" and that is a worry.

He is a love child to the media and has been asked Dorothy Dixers for the last two weeks.

I hope he is succesful, I hope my fears are unfounded.

As an aside I thought Matthew Knights was a very poor choice for the Dons.

I thought Brett Ratten was a good pick up for the Blues.

My friends from Carlton dont think brains is what is needed as a coach of a struggling side.

They say that Ratten believes the world is round and that Knights is a Flat Earther.

Because the blues just go Round and Round. But the Bombers go straight down the guts.

[timD 994]

I love the notion that we're just gunna witlessly trade good players. Priceless! As if players who cannot get a pretty simple plan are 'good'!

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

He also thanked the band of supporters that went to Geelong & said they all deserve a pat on the back!

No worries Dean

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

Did he say the point of his gameplan was to remain competitve. And only when we can remain competitive for long periods of game time will we be competitive on the scoreboard the therefore become a competitive force within a super competitve competition.

[Billy Baxter 0]

No worries Dean

I agree. thanks also

[grazman 7,451]

Im sorry Graz. I dont share the same faith. Those words above could easily have been describing Neil Balme or Neale Daniher in their first year.

I didnt hear what he said in Canberra, but you have referred to it before. As I rate your thoughts on how the game should be played Im sure it comes in second behind the Gettysburg address.

He isnt getting many players to "play for him" and that is a worry.

He is a love child to the media and has been asked Dorothy Dixers for the last two weeks.

I hope he is succesful, I hope my fears are unfounded.

As an aside I thought Matthew Knights was a very poor choice for the Dons.

I thought Brett Ratten was a good pick up for the Blues.

My friends from Carlton dont think brains is what is needed as a coach of a struggling side.

They say that Ratten believes the world is round and that Knights is a Flat Earther.

Because the blues just go Round and Round. But the Bombers go straight down the guts. :lol: :lol: Priceless

I think to be fair Franky, that getting the players to play for him is part of the 'culture problem' we continue to bemoan at the club.... and yes those words may very well have described Danners in his first years - and he was a very good coach, but he lost his way IMO. He put far too much faith in players that continued to let him down and our problems in developing the hard edge needed to go further were because he was too emotionally attached to the senior core. As a result there's still a bit of baggage amongst many of our list that still needs to be discarded in terms of habits and attitudes. A new coach doesen't so much as have a honeymoon period, more like a hangover period. Bailey's pretty upfront and honest. The players will come around, of that I've no doubt. They may not like some of the messages, but the truth, as they say, hurts. Time to dry their eyes and get on with the job at hand. Just by way of example, Neil Craig isn't exactly loved by the Crows players. Not all players adjust and some leave, but I've been waiting for a while for their list to bottom out... Coaches don't have to be liked, but they must be respected.

Balmey suffered because of injuries to key players there's no doubt, but comparing him to Bailey is like chalk and cheese. Balmey relied on luck (and he was unlucky) - there'll be no luck involved with Bailey.

BTW his talk wasn't really a Churchillian oration, more answers to specific questions, but you certainly get the impression from him that near enough will definately not be good enough.

[mo64 5,881]

I see the obvious solution here, keep changing game plans until we start winning and then stick to it like glue. Absolutely under no circumstances should we review our list - we'll be a pioneer amongst league clubs. By all means lets keep talented players with poor attitudes. We've already traded Trapper unfortunately, but maybe we can get someone like Chris Tarrant in a trade

No, to be competitive, you build your game plan around your players' strengths, not weaknesses. But that doesn't excuse the players from not doing the basics (the 1%ers). Over a period of drafts, you develop your list and game plan to a level that is achievable. Also, our selection policy of cumbersome tall forwards and non-contributors (Garland and Weetra) defies his own game plan.

[Tony Tea 2,809]

668 "The Neighbour of the Beast"

That is a ripper...well done

First saw that sign at the Superbowl about 15 years ago. It has also put in an appearance at college football & basketball as well as at WWF (where another sign read "the guy behind me can't see"). In fact, 668-NOTB is so famous it was recently spotted signing autographs at an Angus & Robertson book launch.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

No, to be competitive, you build your game plan around your players' strengths, not weaknesses. But that doesn't excuse the players from not doing the basics (the 1%ers). Over a period of drafts, you develop your list and game plan to a level that is achievable. Also, our selection policy of cumbersome tall forwards and non-contributors (Garland and Weetra) defies his own game plan.

I think you are wrong. How can you develop your list when you do not adhere to game plan in the first place?

So what's the game plan you would put forward? Especially given that through retirement and natural attrition there will 6 to 9 players leaving the list some of whom at the start of the year would have been "best 22".

[The Emblem 1]

I think you are wrong. How can you develop your list when you do not adhere to game plan in the first place?

So what's the game plan you would put forward? Especially given that through retirement and natural attrition there will 6 to 9 players leaving the list some of whom at the start of the year would have been "best 22".

The debate between you RR and MO64 comes down to want do you really want?

If you want to be competitive you look at what you've got and work around those constraints.

If you want to be successful you work out where you want to be [e.g. standing on the premiership dias] and work out what you've got to do to get there.

Personally I'm behind DB making us successful, so I'm for the players fitting the plan...it's not going to be an overnight success and not all the current squad are going to be there

[mo64 5,881]

I think you are wrong. How can you develop your list when you do not adhere to game plan in the first place?

So what's the game plan you would put forward? Especially given that through retirement and natural attrition there will 6 to 9 players leaving the list some of whom at the start of the year would have been "best 22".

Every time we discuss the issue of 'game plan' you raise disciplines that I consider to be the basics of footy, and should be adhered to, regardless of game style. Basics such as head over the ball, pressure, tackling, chasing, blocking etc, are all areas that we needed to improve post Daniher. I'm yet to see any results of this changing under Bailey.

The area of Bailey's 'run and carry' game style that I despise is using handball to a stationary teammate as the 'get-out' option. This only works if your teammate has great evasive skills. We have very few players with evasive skills. If our 'get-out' option was a 30-40 metre kick to 3 or 4 designated areas, at least the players up the ground know where to position themselves. A quote from Cam Bruce in today's Age "we want to get to that stage where we just know where the ball's going and can get there". For mine, this is an indictment on the coach, not the players.

BTW, how are the West Coast going with their 'run and carry' style without Cousins and Judd?

[Paul Gardner 6]

I was pretty happy that he was the best man for the job after he got through a pretty thorough process as a virtual unknown. If there were any seeds of doubt they were completely blown away when he presented his views on coaching up here in Canberra.

There are three things you immediately feel when you hear him talk, firstly he's extremely intelligent - he understands the game and importantly can communicate that, secondly he is extremely confident, not in an arrogant sense, but he knows what he wants to achieve, how to do it, finally he's determined, absolutely 100% committed to success and while that may sound trite in relation to any league coach or player, he's a tough cookie and will expect that of the players.

It doesn't surprise me he doesn't sound fazed by the losses. He would have had an understanding of our list from an outsiders perspective, but he would have seen pretty quickly that the transition was obviously going to take some time and casualties.

Thanks 'grazman', thats really well put. I wish I could have written that.

I don't care that we haven't won a single game as yet, in fact for our long term future's concerned I'm glad.

I only want to win not more than 4 games this year, whilst playing Kids. You know, they bust their arses playing & making mistakes & still lose. But in doing so they learn a hell of a lot & get more games experience with the hangers ons retired off.

Meanwhile the club can fasttrack the list rejuvenation & with early dibs on quality.

We really only need one season down @ the bottom 2 or 3, then next year around 10th.

[beelzebub 23,383]

I think you are wrong. How can you develop your list when you do not adhere to game plan in the first place?

So what's the game plan you would put forward? Especially given that through retirement and natural attrition there will 6 to 9 players leaving the list some of whom at the start of the year would have been "best 22".

I'll agree ( you'll sleep better I'm sure !! ).. its just logical you establish a plan..then assemble the resources to implement it.

Bails thinks he has the plan...just needs the timber!!