Crows, Port assistant coach Dean Bailey dies

Dean Bailey died this morning, aged 47. Source: News Limited

Former Melbourne Demons coach and Adelaide Crows senior assistant coach Dean Bailey has died, aged 47, after losing his battle with cancer.

CROWS senior assistant coach Dean Bailey died this morning.

Bailey, 47, was diagnosed with cancer — that filled one of his lungs — in December.

Adelaide Football Club players, coaches and staff gathered at their West Lakes headquarters at 9.30am today to learn of his death.

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS: MARK ROBINSON'S TRIBUTE TO BAILEY

GALLERY: DEAN BAILEY'S CAREER IN PICTURES

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE TO DEAN BAILEY BELOW

The news of Bailey's death will be met with shock and sadness around the AFL community where Bailey was admired as one of the game's much-loved men and sharpest tacticians.

Bailey first learned of his predicament after becoming acutely ill late last year before doctors identified his condition as a cancer in the chest area.

Dean Bailey and wife Caron at the AFL Hall of Fame dinner. Source: News Limited

Despite being on indefinite leave, Adelaide's strategy and innovation coach continued to play a role at the club, inspiring the players with visits between treatments.

The Adelaide Football Club today paid tribute to Dean Bailey recognising he had battled "cancer with his usual resilience and positive attitude".

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg remembered Bailey as "a hard-working, family man."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dean's wife, Caron and children Darcy and Mitchell," Trigg said.

"They know that the entire Crows family is here to help and offer support."

"Few understood the game of football better than Dean.

"He often told how he gained most pleasure from teaching and helping young men become better players and more importantly, better people.

"Dean's dry sense of humour also provided many priceless moments.

"His influence stretches far beyond the Adelaide Football Club, given his involvement in the game across three states."

Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman last saw Bailey on Sunday and described his death at 47 as "bloody sad ... and unfair".

Chapman worked closely with Bailey to defend the Crows assistant coach last year when he faced sanctions from the AFL in the Melbourne "tanking" saga of 2009.

"From those walks along the beach to the nights we'd shared a glass of wine, I learned a lot about football from Dean," Chapman said. "I will treasure those times.

"Dean had a great sense of humour and a great sense of family.

"He also wanted to achieve so much with the Adelaide Football Club. He leaves us to fulfil those dreams - and with us all remembering his part in making the club stronger and better."

His passion and dry humour made him a popular figure around West Lakes.

Last month, after it was confirmed that Bailey had returned to hospital, Brodie Smith said the players' thoughts were constantly with him.

"It's just a sad and unfortunate event,'' Smith said.

"He's such a great coach and such a good guy around the club."

Some of the players and coaches shaved their heads as a token of support when Bailey was undergoing chemotherapy.

Dean Bailey coached Melbourne in 83 games. Source: News Limited

Bailey's career in AFL football began as a player in the Essendon midfield in 1986. He played 53 senior games until his retirement in 1992. He then turned to coaching with outstanding credentials as one of the game's deepest thinkers and calmest men in high-pressure matches.

Bailey left Essendon — where he was a development coach — to be a vital part of Port Adelaide's 2004 AFL premiership triumph as an assistant coach for Mark Williams. Late in the 2007 season, Bailey was appointed Melbourne's senior coach — a demanding job he kept for 83 games before his departure midway through the 2011 season.

Bailey returned to Adelaide in October 2011 to be the senior member of rookie coach Brenton Sanderson's panel at West Lakes.

Fox Sports correspondent Tom Wilson reflects on the career of the late Dean Bailey, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.

Read More..

Footy loses one of the good guys

Herald Sun AFL writer Mark Robinson has paid his respects to the late Dean Bailey, remembering the former Demons coach as one of the game's greatest minds.

THERE is great sadness at four football clubs today.

With Dean Bailey's passing — he had just turned 47 — Essendon, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Adelaide have not only lost good football person, but a good bloke.

FORMER DEMON COACH LOSES CANCER FIGHT

PICTURES: DEAN BAILEY'S CAREER IN PICTURES

Fox Sports correspondent Tom Wilson reflects on the career of the late Dean Bailey, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.

Even at the height of the Melbourne tanking scandal, when Bailey was accused and found guilty of orchestrating his team to lose, Bailey did not let his anger dominate him.

He never truly spoke about that time, but several people close to the situation said it was a desperately stressful time for him and his family.

In a controversial decision, Bailey was suspended by the AFL for 16 rounds of football and returned to the Crows — where he was the club's strategy and innovation coach — in July, 2013.

Dean Bailey never shirked an issue as a player or coach.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE TO DEAN BAILEY BELOW

In November, the club released a statement saying Bailey had been diagnosed with cancer.

He died four months later.

Essendon defender Dean Bailey is stretchered off at Waverley during a game against Hawthorn.

Who's to know if the torment of the tanking saga contributed to his ill health, but more than one senior coach has commented recently about the stress of coaching, let alone dealing with the magnitude of the AFL investigation in tanking and subsequent finding.

Only once did Bailey open up about the affair. It was at his press conference on the day of his sacking at Melbourne and Bailey was asked: Did you tank games?

"I had no hesitation at all in the first two years of ensuring this club was well placed for draft picks,'' Bailey said. "I think what we've done is the right thing by the club, and if it cost me my job, so be it. But the club is always bigger than the individual.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson asks Dean Bailey's advice. Picture: Sarah Reed

"I was asked to do the best thing by the Melbourne Football Club and I did it. I did the right thing by the Melbourne Football Club.''

Bailey could never be accused of shirking an issue.

In the week and months leading up to sacking at Melbourne — it came after the team lost by 186 points at Geelong — Bailey was never critical of the players.

Dean Bailey gives Demon Jack Watts a hug.

Under intense questioning, he would keep a calm manner and would say football, as in life, was learning experience.

He was a husband, father, footballer, coach and teacher of young men and was highly regarded in the football world.

Four footy clubs can't be wrong.

Bailey makes a surprise appearance at Adelaide's pre-season training session in January. Picture: Sarah Reed

As a player, Bailey was honest, which usually means he wasn't a bad footballer, but neither was he a very good footballer.

He played at Essendon from 1986-1992, for 53 games and 19 goals.

In one game in 1987 against Fitzroy, Bailey recorded nine tackles. It is an extraordinary high number considering the Bombers that day laid just 38 and Fitzroy a paltry 30.

Bomber Dean Bailey brings down Collingwood star Denis Banks.

Bailey would rarely be seen surging through half-forward with the goals in sight. Instead, he was a head down bum up kind of player, a workhorse.

His thick, stumpy legs would seem to shuffle and not stride out and, more often than not, his socks would be at his ankles. With calf muscles the size of slabs of beef, it was uncomfortable to have the socks at the knees, nor, really was it a good look.

He played mainly in the middle, with stints at half-back and half-forward.

Dean Bailey with wife Caron in 1992.

Season 1989 was his best. He played 17 games, including three finals, and would've had a front-row seat to the carnage inflicted by Gary Ablett on the Dons in the preliminary final at Waverley. Bailey had nine possessions that day. Ablett kicked 8.5.

Coaching was his pathway.

He was development coach at Essendon for the 2000 premiership, was assistant coach at Port Adelaide when the Power created history in 2004, and was senior coach at the Demons from 2008-2011.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey catches up with top draft pick Tom Scully.

His numbers would announce him a failure — 22 wins, 59 losses and two draws — but there were always suitors for his terrific football knowledge.

Bailey loved talking footy.

He might not have publicly displayed a raw energy for the sport, but in his considered way he was a student of the game. He spoke with a dry wit and a healthy laugh, but when it was about football, there was a purity in his conversation.

Bailey with Mark Williams during his stint as defence coach at Port Adelaide.

For Bailey, football was fun and serious, rewarding and destroying, and through it all Bailey held his head high.

Family and football were his life. Both will miss him terribly.

Read More..

Lynch, Otten head list of winged Crows

Rory Sloane with the injured Tom Lynch who is in doubt for round one. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

INJURY-HIT Adelaide could start the AFL premiership season without seven first-choice players.

While the Crows are waiting for medical specialists to decide the long-term fates of forward Tom Lynch (dislocated shoulder) and defender Andy Otten (strained lateral knee ligament), the club's latest injury victims are almost certainly out of round one contention.

Lynch's shoulder injury could sideline him from anywhere between three to 16 weeks, depending on whether he needs surgery.

Otten's injury — not to his reconstructed knee — will keep him out for between two to eight weeks.

Like Lynch, the time frame for Otten's injury will be determined by whether he needs surgery, which appears unlikely.

But the club concedes both are almost certain to miss the round one clash against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on March 20.

They are likely to join No. 1 forward Taylor Walker (knee), captain Nathan van Berlo (Achilles) and defenders Ricky Henderson (broken leg), Brent Reilly (shoulder) and Rory Laird (adductor) on the sidelines.

Callan Ward puts Andy Otten on the deck. Source: Getty Images

Veteran Reilly played for the Crows' reserves in their trial against Sturt on Saturday but still lacks match conditioning after a six-month rehabilitation from a shoulder reconstruction.

Laird hasn't played a trial for Adelaide because of an adductor strain, putting him behind the eight-ball.

Last year's club champion runner-up Richard Douglas is also causing Adelaide some concern.

He spent Friday night at Sydney's Westmead Hospital after copping an accidental knee to the groin from Giant Callan Ward during the Crows' eight-point practice match triumph at Bankstown Oval.

He has returned to Adelaide but is still experiencing some discomfort and was to be checked out again last night.

On a positive, AFL Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch came through his return from an Achilles injury — for the Crows reserves — well to put his hand up for round one selection.

"The injuries are not ideal but it's just the hand we've been dealt,'' football operations manager Phil Harper said.

"They've mostly been impact injuries, so they've been unlucky ones, and it might just mean other players will get their opportunities as a result.''

Last year's leading goalkicker Lynch's immediate playing future will be determined by whether he needs surgery.

It is understood the knee popped out of its joint backwards, rather than forwards, which reduces the likelihood of an operation and a longer stint on the sidelines.

But specialists want to examine Lynch further before making a final diagnosis.

The injury to Otten is worse than first feared.

The club had hoped he had only jarred the knee but the lateral ligament is strained, meaning some time out of the game.

"At this stage, we don't anticipate either player needing surgery, however, this will not be confirmed until after they consult their respective specialists," Harper said.

Read More..

Wines had plans to leave Port

Ollie Wines clears dishes off the ball under pressure. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines is highlighting the dramatic change at Alberton by pointing to how he was once prepared to run from the Power — and now will not even consider offers from rival clubs.

"In the first few hours after the (2012 national draft) I was definitely thinking I'd wait for my two years to be up and I'd then head home to Victoria," said Wines, who on Friday extended his first contract with the Power for two seasons to the end of the 2016.

"That has absolutely changed now. I could not be at a better club. I have the best of both worlds here — with my footy and my family."

Wines, a first-round draftee, joined fellow Victorians Jasper Pittard and Cam O'Shea and seasoned forward Justin Westhoff in extending their contracts before the Power's season launch at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Wines acknowledged his mother's famous line of the Echuca boy going from "footy hell to footy heaven" remains the most appropriate description of his story at Alberton in the past year.

"She summed it up pretty well," Wines said. "I was shocked at first because the club had come off a terrible couple of years — and that made it more daunting to be drafted to Port Adelaide. But the changes that have turned around the club have been a positive for me. And it is a big reason I signed on."

Wines declared he did not even ask of possible offers from rival AFL clubs while considering his options with the Power.

Read More..

LIVE: AFL practice matches

Join Mike Sheahan, Gerard Whateley, Mark Robinson and Jon Ralph as they discuss the tough questions ahead of this years AFL season.

Brett Deledio kicks the ball. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON forward Jake Carlisle has been reported for kneeing in the Bombers' practice match against Richmond.

SCROLL DOWN TO JOIN OUR LIVE COVERAGE ALL DAY

The field umpire ran straight to Carlisle and put his name in the book after a clash with Tiger Steven Morris in the second quarter at Punt Rd.

The Tigers made a strong start, with Trent Cotchin backing up his four-goal return against Collingwood last week by drifting forward to kick two goals from strong marks.

The 1pm clash will see thousands of fans flock to Richmond's traditional home and we'll have live updates throughout the clash.

SEE EVERY PRACTICE MATCH SQUAD HERE

At 4pm we'll cross to Visy Park as Carlton hosts the Western Bulldogs, while at 2pm Greater Western Sydney will unveil No.1 pick Tom Boyd against Adelaide at Blacktown.

Mike Sheahan discusses his decision to omit Jack Riewoldt from his top 50 AFL players once more.

'GIVE UP THE MEDIA BAN, JACK'

DEES, HOGAN SWEAT ON SCANS

The action continues tonight with Geelong and North Melbourne set to do battle under the Simonds Stadium lights.

FOLLOWING ON A MOBILE DEVICE? CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Read More..

Rucci’s Top 50 AFL players revealed

Mike Sheahan discusses his decision to omit Jack Riewoldt from his top 50 AFL players once more.

Dockers Captain Matthew Pavlich. Source: Getty Images

DEBATE always shadows any AFL Top 50 list and Michelangelo Rucci's will be no different. Check out this EXCLUSIVE sneak-peek of his top 50-30 players.

Rucci's full list will appear in Saturday's paper, but in the meantime mull over his first 20 picks and tell us if he's got it right or is way off.

Scroll through the list and comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

What do you think of Rucci's 50-30 top players list?

See Mike Sheahan's Top 50 right here

50. R. Douglas (Adelaide)

Richie Douglas looks for options. Source: Getty Images

49. Ted Richards (Sydney)

Jonathan Patton goes up against fellow big man Ted Richards. Source: Getty Images

48. Scott Thompson (North Melbourne)

Scott Thompson on the run. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

47. Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne)

Andrew Swallow watches on closely during a training session. Source: Getty Images

46. Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)

Leigh Montagna goes back after taking a mark. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

45. Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)

Matthew Boyd cuts through the corridor at Etihad Stadium. Source: Getty Images

44. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)

Matthew Pavlich looks at the new Adelaide Oval as he leaves the field. Source: Getty Images

43. Tom Rockcliff (Brisbane)

Tom Rockliff puts in the hard yards at a Gabba training session. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Limited

42. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)

Cyril Rioli finds a spare moment for a laugh during a Hawks training session. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Limited

41. Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)

Drew Petrie marks the ball despite pressure from Kurt Heatherley and Kyle Cheney. Source: Getty Images

40. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)

Steele Sidebottom stops Heritier Lumumba in his tracks at Collingwood training at Olympic Park. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: News Limited

39. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)

Nick Riewoldt tries for an overhead mark in Wagga Wagga. Source: Getty Images

38. Alex Rance (Richmond)

Alex Rance takes a kick. Source: Getty Images

37. David Mundy (Fremantle)

David Mundy dishes off the ball. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

36. Brett Deledio (Richmond)

Brett Deledio tries to sidestep a Collingwood player. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

35. Josh Kennedy (West Coast)

Tanner Smith spoils the mark for Josh Kennedy. Source: Getty Images

34. Jarred McVeigh (Sydney)

Jarred McVeigh takes off at the SCG. Source: News Limited

33. Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)

Tom Liberatore finds and option he likes. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

32. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide)

Justin Westhoff boots the ball on the run. Source: Getty Images

31. Jack Steven (St Kilda)

Jack Steven has a shot on goal in the wet. Source: Getty Images

30. Corey Enright (Geelong)

Corey Enright takes a solid mark for the Cats. Source: News Limited

Read More..

Lynch ready for GWS comeback

Tom Lynch runs through some drills during a training session. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

ANOTHER piece in Adelaide's revamped forward line will fall into place tomorrow when Tom Lynch makes his first appearance of the preseason.

Lynch, who had major foot surgery at the end of last season, is the only player named for the trial against Greater Western Sydney who didn't feature in either of the Crows' NAB Challenge games against Port and Carlton.

Adelaide isn't releasing its full squad until 11.30am today but assistant coach Scott Camporeale confirmed Lynch would play.

"He's had limited preparation but he's right to go now so we'll give him a few minutes and see how he goes," Camporeale said.

"He's a real club favourite, the boys really enjoy playing with him and he's a different type of forward for us.

"It will be interesting to see what the chemistry is like with him and Betts and Podsiadly up there."

Brad Crouch and Rory Laird have not made the flight to Sydney as they continue to recover from preseason injuries.

It leaves them with only SANFL trials to build match fitness before the season opener against Geelong on March 20 but Camporeale isn't ready to rule them out.

"We've still got three weeks ... I'm not sure," he said.

"They're two really valuable players for us — particularly now with the other two (van Berlo and Henderson) going down."

Matt Crouch has been named to face the Giants, increasing the likelihood of a round one berth against Geelong.

Camporeale said Adelaide was treating the game like a regular season contest and wouldn't be taking the Giants lightly.

Read More..

Adelaide Oval wows AFL captains

AFL leaders, back row from left, Phil Davis, Nathan Van Berlo, Andrew Swallow, Gary Ablett, Darren Glass, Kade Simpson, Jed Adcock, Jack Grimes, front from left, Nathan Jones, Ryan Griffen, Jobe Watson, Kieran Jack, Harry Taylor, Luke Hodge, Matthew Pavlich, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Boak, Brett Deledio and Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE Oval became the crown jewel of Australian football on Wednesday night.

Retiring AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou launched the AFL premiership season at the redeveloped Oval declaring the return of elite football to the Adelaide CBD as one of his greatest achievements - and the Oval as the game's best venue.

And this verdict had the unanimous endorsement of the 18 AFL club captains who saw the new Oval for the first time yesterday while work continued on the eastern stand with the rush to the Showdown opener on Saturday, March 29.

Fremantle captain, South Australian Matthew Pavlich, could appreciate the $535 million transformation of the Oval more than most of his AFL rivals.

He played SANFL league and under-age football at the Oval a decade ago when footballers changed in cramped changerooms under the western stand where tall players would bump their heads on the corrugated iron ceilings.

Outgoing AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou has left some departing words at the season launch, discussing the long-term plan for the competition.

Pavlich will return to the Oval on May 10 to lead the Dockers against Port Adelaide from the AFL's most spacious and modern facilities for both players and spectators.

"I'm gobsmacked," Pavlich said on Wednesday.

"They have retained the hill, the Adelaide Oval feeling and made it look spectacular. They have done a fantastic job. It looks brilliant.

"All credit to the AFL for finally getting the SACA and the SANFL together to make this work. It looks fantastic.

"I never thought I would play an AFL game here - it just seemed a fait accompli that the SANFL would stay at Football Park and that is how it would be forever. And I didn't think I would be playing this long to see it through."

Pavlich's - and his colleagues' - excitement on seeing the new Oval on Wednesday confirmed Power coach Ken Hinkley's view that neither SA-based team, the Crows and Port, will command an on-field advantage this season.

But Pavlich says the one edge that can be transported from Football Park to the new Oval is the fervent support the Crows and Power have from South Australian football fans.

"When there is 50,000 Croweaters - whether they are Crows or Port supporters - making some noise, I'm sure that will be an advantage to the home side," Pavlich said.

The Crows and Power teams will get their first practice runs on Adelaide Oval in the next fortnight before they are locked out the venue for the Rolling Stones concert on Saturday, March 22.

Port captain Travis Boak played in the only AFL game at the old Oval, the 2011 season-closer with Melbourne.

He returned to the new Oval on Wednesday noting the stadium is a new symbol of pride for SA football - and the state.

"Walking across the grass today was exciting in itself, so we're looking forward to playing here," Boak said.

Read More..

Tippett saga not my fault: Demetriou

Andrew Demetriou talks to the AFL 360 panel, saying that the most important job of the CEO is protecting the integrity of the game.

Australian Football great Kevin Sheedy commends retiring AFL boss Andrew Demetriou

Andrew Demetriou will resign as boss of the AFL, at the end of the season

Kurt Tippett during a training session with the Swans. Source: Getty Images

RETIRING AFL chief Andrew Demetriou wants Crows fans to look at their own Adelaide Football Club for blame rather than his office as the fall-out of the Kurt Tippett saga lingers.

Adelaide Oval: Demetriou ready to hand over cash

"I don't know why (they take issue with me) because I was not responsible for what happened with (Tippett's illegal contract)," Demetriou said in Adelaide today.

Who do you think will replace Andrew Demetriou?

"It is interesting commentary that if you want the AFL to protect the integrity of the game then people have to stop blaming the AFL for what happened to Adelaide ... and to Melbourne (with tanking) and Essendon (with the supplements saga). If you don't want the AFL to protect the integrity of the game, then the concept of turning a blind eye to those things will be abhorrent."

Contenders: Who will replace Demetriou?

Adelaide was fined and removed from last year's draft and had key officials including chief executive Steven Trigg banned for offering key forward Tippett in 2009 an illegal contract with secret clauses that challenged the AFL's salary cap and draft system.

Q & A: Robbo vs. Demetriou

Read More..

Let’s get Bryce: Betts

Adelaide recruit Eddie Betts has slipped seamlessly into a Crows jumper, kicking five goals in his side's 60-point win over Port Adelaide in the mini-Showdown.

Adelaide has already declared an interest in Bryce Gibbs, but he's not the only Carlton free agent that will attract plenty of attention this year.

NEW Crows small forward Eddie Betts is joining the Adelaide players' push to lure Carlton free-agent midfielder Bryce Gibbs back to SA.

Betts, who last summer made the free-agency crossing from Carlton to Adelaide, is following the player-inspired appeals being led by ruckman Sam Jacobs, another Blue who became a Crow.

"I might have to give (Gibbs) a call and say come back to your home state," Betts said at Crows training at West Lakes today. "Big 'Saucy" Jacobs is getting into his ear as well which is good.

"I'd give him a call and say, 'Wanna come back home?' He'd be welcome any time."

Gibbs and Melbourne key defender James Frawley are Adelaide's prime target in the free-agent market this year.

Betts' public support for the club's big raid on Gibbs follows acting captain Patrick Dangerfield using his television segment a fortnight ago to endorse Adelaide's free-agency strategy for the 25-year-old Carlton midfielder.

Betts will return to the Adelaide attack for Friday's trial game against Greater Western Sydney at Bankstown. He missed the rematch with the Blues at Etihad Stadium in the NAB Challenge last Monday.

Read More..