Dean Bailey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dean Bailey |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Bailey as Melbourne coach
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Dean Bailey | ||
| Nickname(s) | Bails | ||
| Date of birth | 18 January 1967 | ||
| Date of death | 11 March 2014 (aged 47) | ||
| Original team | North Ringwood (EFL) | ||
| Position(s) | Utility | ||
Dean Bailey was an important person in Australian rules football. He was born on January 18, 1967, and sadly passed away on March 11, 2014. Dean played for the Essendon Football Club and later became a senior coach for the Melbourne Football Club. He also worked as an assistant coach for other big teams like Essendon, Port Adelaide, and the Adelaide Football Club.
Dean Bailey's Football Journey
Dean Bailey had a long career in Australian rules football, first as a player and then as a coach. He was known for his dedication to the sport.
Playing Days
Dean Bailey played 53 games for the Essendon Bombers. He usually played as a centreman, which is a player who runs a lot in the middle of the field. He wore guernsey numbers 42 and 31 during his time with the team.
Coaching Career Begins
After his playing days, Dean Bailey moved into coaching. He started as a senior coach for the Mount Gravatt Football Club in Queensland in 1998. In his first year, he led the team to a strong fourth-place finish. The next year, they finished third.
Helping Essendon Win
At the end of 1999, Dean became an assistant coach at the Essendon Football Club. He worked as a development coach, helping young players get better. He was part of the team when Essendon won the premiership in 2000. This was a huge achievement! The next year, Essendon made it to the Grand Final again but lost to the Brisbane Lions. Dean left Essendon after the 2001 season.
Success with Port Adelaide
In 2002, Dean Bailey joined the Port Adelaide Football Club as an assistant coach. He helped guide the team to their premiership victory in 2004. This was another big success in his coaching career. After Port Adelaide lost the Grand Final in 2007, Dean decided to leave the club.
Leading the Melbourne Demons
At the end of 2007, Dean Bailey was chosen to be the senior coach for the Melbourne Football Club. He took over from Mark Riley.
Tough Start for Melbourne
The 2008 season was very challenging for the Demons under Dean. They lost their first six games. They finally won their first match in Round 7 against Fremantle. The team finished last on the ladder, which meant they got the "wooden spoon." This was a tough start for Dean and the club.
The 2009 season also began with losses. However, the Demons had an exciting win against Richmond in Round 4. Even though they finished last again, Dean focused on giving young players a chance to gain experience. He believed this would help the club in the long run.
Signs of Improvement
The 2010 season showed some positive changes for Melbourne. After a tough first game, they played a very close match against Collingwood, losing by just one point. They then won several games, including big victories against Richmond and Brisbane. They even thrashed Sydney by 73 points! The Demons finished 12th on the ladder, which was a big improvement from the previous two years.
Ups and Downs in 2011
The 2011 season was a mix of good and bad for the Demons. They had some big wins, like beating Gold Coast by 90 points and Adelaide by 96 points. They also had their biggest ever win against Fremantle, by 89 points. However, they also suffered some very large defeats.
In Round 19, 2011, Melbourne had a very difficult game against Geelong, losing by a huge margin. The day after this match, the club decided that Dean Bailey would no longer be the senior coach. He had coached 83 games for Melbourne, winning 22 of them.
Focusing on the Future
After leaving Melbourne, Dean Bailey spoke about his time there. He explained that in his first two years, he focused on making sure the club was in a good position for future player drafts. He believed he was doing what was best for the club's long-term success, even if it meant tough results in the short term. He said he put players in different positions to help them grow and develop.
Later, an investigation looked into the Melbourne Football Club's 2009 season. It was found that Dean Bailey and the football manager, Chris Connolly, had acted in a way that affected the competition's interests. This was related to discussions about how to develop players for the future and improve draft picks. As a result, Dean was suspended from coaching for the first sixteen rounds of the 2013 season. This meant he couldn't work with players during that time.
Adelaide Football Club Role
On October 4, 2011, Dean Bailey joined the Adelaide Football Club. He took on a new role as a strategy and innovation coach, helping the team with new ideas and plans.
Personal Life
Dean Bailey was married to Caron, and they had two sons. He was a family man who loved football.
Remembering Dean Bailey
Dean Bailey passed away on March 11, 2014, after battling lung cancer. He is remembered by many in the football world.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who made his AFL debut under Dean in 2011, paid tribute to him after the club won the 2021 AFL Grand Final. This shows how much Dean impacted the players he coached.
