Next week the true test: Bailey

[Topkent]

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says his team is yet to answer its critics and that its real test will be its ability to play consecutive games of quality football.

The Demons followed up last week's 54-point loss to West Coast with a 96-point thrashing of Adelaide on Sunday.

But Bailey said they were yet to properly answer the questions that have been hovering over the club over the previous 10 days.

"We played at a very good standard today but we've got to keep doing it. We can't go from West Coast standard to this week's standard and accept something that is in between. Because it won't get us the result we're after," Bailey said after Sunday's win.

Bailey had received more than his share of criticism for the loss to the Eagles but was not prepared to publically bask in the glory of a win.

In perhaps a subtle hint that he was not entirely responsible for the previous week's loss, Bailey refused to take any credit for the turnaround

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/113334/default.aspx


atleast he has already put it on the players to back it up next week , i do like that .. im not a great fan of his atm but if he can get them to back up that sort of effort week after week then thing will turn back in his favour

 

[Crusty Demon]

Really liked his response tonight. He is 100% correct. Next week's clash is perfect for us. A team we have struggled to beat for awhile, on a ground we have not won on in quite some time. THAT, will be the true test of where we are at. Well done to Dean and the boys today, but no pats on the back unless we can get a win next week....

 

[WinmarToLockett]

I ****ing hate bigfooty North Melbourne supporters, I'm going next and if I'm not banned from this website within 20 minutes of coming homeiamdisappointson.

 

[Mount_Blood]

I ****ing hate bigfooty North Melbourne supporters, I'm going next and if I'm not banned from this website within 20 minutes of coming homeiamdisappointson.

LOL quality post!

 

[Pjkimber]

Quick Question.

I have a 17 game Redleg Membership. With 6 away vic games, does it include games at etihad?

 

[Mount_Blood]

Quick Question.

I have a 17 game Redleg Membership. With 6 away vic games, does it include games at etihad?

Yes I believe so

 

[Pjkimber]

Thanks!

 

[THE STING2]

Of course it is. Bailey must be tearing his sideburns out on why they can perform so poorly for the last month and then put in a blinder like they did on Sunday. Why do we need a crisis to play like that?

We are playing a team that must win or their finals chances are over on a ground that we perform poorly at.

If we can beat the Roos then we have learnt our lessons from the Eagles game. We should have learnt our lesson from the Hawks game.

 

[BigSexc]

i hate those scum norf!! most hated team aside from ossondon!! hope we smash em for once

 

[SweetLeftFoot]

Will be an excellent test for both sides. Looking forward to a good game though it will be disappointing that Basti and Scully won't be playing.

 

[AllenJakovich13]

hey this is our first saturday game for the year

 

[davey_magik]

Must-win game really, we'll be expected to win but often in these games we don't show up for some reason.

 

[SweetLeftFoot]

hey this is our first saturday game for the year

Have you guys played at Etihad this year?

 

[the big lebowski]

I predict a comfortbale win coming up for the Roos.

 

[demon21]

I hope im wrong but early last week i was speaking to a mate i told him that if i know melb pick them this week against Ade, Then i said no matter what the following week tip NM against Melb.

As i said i hope im wrong about this.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

it will be a test, but **** the boys looked good yesterday, the intensity was overwhelming

 

[AllenJakovich13]

Have you guys played at Etihad this year?

no but we play at Etihad over the next 2 weeks.

 

[Topkent]

no but we play at Etihad over the next 2 weeks.

and then maybe one again for the rest of the year?

 

[Chip_]

It was what was expected, but had to be said all the same. Expect a similar line if we win saying that putting 3 weeks in a row is the real true test.

But if we lose this weekend, last week will be a like a Tasmanian summer day's heat compared to what Bailey will feel next week.

 

[The OBSTacle]

In recent times our extra hardness around the ball has played a major role in North having the wood over Melbourne, but with Ziebell and Cunnington only contributing limited game time and Greenwood and Lower on the sidelines, it is highly questionable as to whether that will be the case this week.

Goldstein is going to have to go one out with Jamar this time and the underrated Moloney has been in white hot form.

The only plus for North over last season is the inclusion of an in form Petrie.

Regardless of any ground advantage, we are up against it this week. We are flat, and weakened by form and injury, whereas Melbourne are coming off their "arrival" match.

 

[SweetLeftFoot]

Jurrah is key for me. Killed us last time.

 

[The OBSTacle]

Jurrah is key for me. Killed us last time.

Jurrah, Green, Sylvia and Watts are all going to need watching.

I'd actually take a risk and play Rawlings on Jurrah. He could go with him at ground level, and I think that's more important than concentrating on negating him in the air.

 

[AllenJakovich13]

and then maybe one again for the rest of the year?

4 times overall. North, Saints, Dogs (Friday Night) & WCE later in the year.

 

[Topkent]

Jurrah is key for me. Killed us last time.

center bounce is key for me, especially in this match the clearances will be massive but also the game will be won in the middle of the ground, if our stronger bodies get on top were in with a chance but if yours do same for you, over the years harvey, corey jones, and those blokes have killed us but i do wonder where the goals will come from outside of petrie... although petrie was pretty dangerous in the first half against geelong

 

[AllenJakovich13]

Jurrah is key for me. Killed us last time.

Jurrah, Green, Sylvia and Watts are all going to need watching.

I'd actually take a risk and play Rawlings on Jurrah. He could go with him at ground level, and I think that's more important than concentrating on negating him in the air.

Who will be your likely ins and outs this week?