AARON DAVEY's confession that he was 'unprofessional' in the lead-up to Melbourne's clash with Brisbane last week, from which he subsequently received a one-match suspension, has heartened his coach.
Davey confessed to a 'lack of preparation and unprofessionalism' ahead of the match at the MCG. But Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said yesterday his forward's honesty had enhanced his leadership credentials at the club.
Davey was in Darwin to attend a funeral and missed a flight back to Melbourne after attending the wake. While he certainly played his part in Melbourne's thrilling one-point win over the Lions, Davey's conscience was troubling him. He informed his club of what happened in Darwin and was subsequently dropped to Sandringham in the VFL.
"Aaron probably came to the realisation after the game that he'd probably done the wrong thing and it wasn't until after the game that it had eaten him up inside - he really felt like he let his teammates down," Bailey told
MelbourneFC.com.au yesterday. "It was soon after that he realised that 'I'd done the wrong thing' and he has a very high regard, Aaron, and he came forward and said, 'This is what's happened and these are the events that have happened and I feel embarrassed and disappointed'.
"It is good that he came to us... (and) in one sense it was good, and another sense it might be the beginning of Aaron becoming more of that leader that we all want him to be."
"He came forward and the leadership group took over and we discussed it and from the history that we've had at the club. I'm very, very determined to ensure that this club is very well led on the ground and led off the ground and behaviour is very important."
Bailey did concede the club's leadership group had taken a tough stance on Davey.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Friday, July 11, 2008
Last Modified on 30/07/2008 22:42