TonyK
CibbuanoPlayers won't be rushed back, says Bailey
April 12th 2009 11:24
MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey said he won't be rushing key players back into the line-up despite his side's 0-3 start to the season.
Russell Robertson and Matthew Whelan played in the VFL this weekend and lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri is set to return from a hamstring injury next week.
Bailey said his injured players needed to regain match fitness before being considered for selection in the senior side.
"You bring a guy like Robbo who played about 55 per cent last week, I think he was going to play 75 per cent this week so he's got to play a couple of really full games," he said.
"He's moving very well Russell and that's what we are seeing at training and playing."
"(But) we are not going to get caught into 'Gee this is great to have these two blokes - let's throw them in because it looks good, they've got to play a few games and they are aware of that."
Bailey also said there were plenty of positives to take from the Demons' 57-point loss to Port Adelaide and that he was confident his young side is heading in the right direction.
"We got some more experience into our 22-year-old ruckmen in (John) Meesen, we got some experience into Jamie Bennell, he went forward, we had him on the wing, we used him down back so we are spreading his experience," he said.
"Neville Jetta, a couple of times had the ball in his hand and I think with a little more experience we would've got something out of his kicking inside 50."
"The thing I can say about our players is they are committed to improvement. There is no question about that, their attitude has been fantastic given last year, the preseason has been very good, their application has been first class, I hope they get reward for their effort and I can see that coming."
Russell Robertson and Matthew Whelan played in the VFL this weekend and lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri is set to return from a hamstring injury next week.
Bailey said his injured players needed to regain match fitness before being considered for selection in the senior side.
"You bring a guy like Robbo who played about 55 per cent last week, I think he was going to play 75 per cent this week so he's got to play a couple of really full games," he said.
"He's moving very well Russell and that's what we are seeing at training and playing."
"(But) we are not going to get caught into 'Gee this is great to have these two blokes - let's throw them in because it looks good, they've got to play a few games and they are aware of that."
Bailey also said there were plenty of positives to take from the Demons' 57-point loss to Port Adelaide and that he was confident his young side is heading in the right direction.
"We got some more experience into our 22-year-old ruckmen in (John) Meesen, we got some experience into Jamie Bennell, he went forward, we had him on the wing, we used him down back so we are spreading his experience," he said.
"Neville Jetta, a couple of times had the ball in his hand and I think with a little more experience we would've got something out of his kicking inside 50."
"The thing I can say about our players is they are committed to improvement. There is no question about that, their attitude has been fantastic given last year, the preseason has been very good, their application has been first class, I hope they get reward for their effort and I can see that coming."
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