Keep on digging, Dean

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey’s response to opinions from Carlton’s Mitch Robinson and high-profile ex-player Dermott Brereton that the Demons play “bruise-free footy” beggars belief.

AussieRulesBlog understands that Bailey is expected to answer questions at a press conference, but to describe the opinions as “offensive” having offered only “Go and turn the Adelaide game on” and , in relation to last Friday’s game against the Blues, “I think we had some instances during  the game where we were hard and tough at the footy...” [our italics and bolding] as justifications is flogging the perpetrators with a wet lettuce leaf.

It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Bailey agrees with the assessment — behind closed doors. But if Bailey and the club regard these comments as insulting, there’s really only one way to deny them, and that’s on the field on Friday night against the Bombers.

AussieRulesBlog watched the game on TV and was struck by the Demons’ inability to handle the ball cleanly under pressure time and time again.