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Melbourne Coach Dean Bailey looks on during the AFL Round 19 match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Slattery Images
A mere three weeks ago it looked as though the AFL coaching landscape would remain largely unaltered next season. How quickly things can change. Dean Bailey has been sacked and last week Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig resigned following his side’s 103 point loss to St Kilda.
Craig had a very good coaching record with the Crows, taking them to the finals in five successive seasons between 2005 and 2009.
Following the heavy loss to the Saints, Craig recognised that he was not the best person to take the side forward and resigned.
Former Crows captain Mark Bickley has taken over the head coaching role at the Crows, and he now has the chance to impress the club’s board in the remaining games this season in a bid to continue as head coach next season.
One week on, and it was Melbourne’s turn to suffer a humiliating triple-figure defeat on the weekend.
The Demons’ 186-point thumping at the hands of the Cats on Saturday was the second largest losing margin in VFL/AFL history, and the blow-torch was turned on to Demon’s coach Dean Bailey.
Post-match Bailey spoke like a man who believed his tenure as coach was about to come to an end when he commented that “each week you play you get scrutinised, and today’s game was as bad as it could get. It’s embarrassing for all of us. Results determine everything.”
Last night Melbourne club heavyweights held an emergency board meeting to discuss the future of Bailey where it is understood he was sacked.
There is also speculation that the future of Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab and General Manager of Football Chris Connolly are also in doubt.
Melbourne club President Jim Stynes would not be pinned down when asked about the future of Bailey when he said last night that “we’re working out way through things and we’ve got some more meetings to do, so we’ll talk to [the media] after that.”
The title of Melbourne head coach will officially change hands before the Demons face Carlton on Saturday, with current assistant coach and former captain Todd Viney likely to take charge.
Bailey took over the role of Melbourne head coach in 2008 and the Demons have never finished higher than 12th position on the ladder in that time.
This year was supposed to be the breakout year for the Demons playing group, which has plenty of young talent and high draft picks within its playing ranks.
Although the Demons have secured seven wins this season (and one draw), the manner in which the club has played has drawn heavy criticism.
The Demons played very poorly against the Eagles and the Blues in rounds six and ten respectively, but both times the club rebounded the following week to secure wins which kept the pressure off Bailey.
The embarrassing loss to the Cats had most calling for his head post-match long before Bailey had the opportunity to coach his side the following week in an attempt to secure a reprieve.
With several coaches coming out of contract at the end of this season, it looks as though at least two clubs will be seeking a new head coach (Adelaide and Melbourne) with the possibility of more to come (Western Bulldogs).
Despite speculation and high expectations pre-season, several other coaches out of contract at the end of this season look likely to retain their positions.
Brett Ratten has the Blues sitting in fourth spot, and looks certain to be re-appointed beyond this season.
Fellow club favourite son John Worsfold has taken the West Coast Eagles from cellar dweller last season to a finals position this season, and looks sure to have his coaching tenure at the club extended as well.
With Bailey gone, the coaching dominoes are beginning to fall.
Follow Michael Filosi on Twitter @MichaelFilosi
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