Demons coach lashes Malthouse, Carlton - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Demons coach lashes Malthouse, Carlton

Greg Buckle 31/05/2011 05:15:40 PM Comments (0)

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has had enough of AFL heavyweights dumping upon his club from a great height.

Bailey returned fire on Tuesday, saying it was offensive for Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse to label Demons forward Addam (Addam) Maric a cheat for claiming a disputed goal.

The Demons mentor also savaged Carlton utility Mitch Robinson for saying Melbourne played a bruise-free style of football.

Melbourne have been under siege following their insipid performance in losing by 47 points in the round-10 AFL clash with Carlton at the MCG on Friday night.

Bailey was furious about Malthouse's attack on 21-year-old Maric during the Magpies premiership coach's stint as a commentator on Radio SEN on Friday night.

"Absolutely it was over the top. We've got a young man who has played less than 20 games," Bailey said.

"For someone like Mick and the position that he holds, for him to very quickly jump down the throat of a young man and call him that is inappropriate.

"For someone who has been in the game for a long period of time, I don't think it's appropriate. I also think that is very offensive."

Blues player Robinson said the Demons "didn't want a bruise game" and were seeking to play uncontested footy, getting easy possessions.

"Our club is very insulted by it. We don't play bruise-free footy," Bailey said.

"It's an insult to the club. It's an insult to all our players.

"It's an insult to our supporters and I think it's very disappointing that a player can come out and have that sort of opinion because we don't play bruise-free footy.

"Our contested-possession, even though it wasn't great against Carlton, it was very good the week before against the Saints.

"(We have) long memories."

Bailey scoffed at Carlton coach Brett Ratten's suggestion that Robinson's comments had been taken out of context.

Ratten insisted Robinson meant no disrespect to Melbourne and was talking more about how Carlton's coaching staff had demanded at halftime on Friday night that the Blues work harder to win the contested ball in the second half.

"So he (Robinson) has been misquoted has he?" Bailey said angrily.

Bailey said the Demons would have extra incentive to make a point to Robinson and the Blues when the two teams meet at the MCG in round 20.

"I would think so. They (Melbourne players) are disappointed that they've been described that way," the Demons mentor said.

"It probably galvanises them more."

Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton has also attacked the 10th-placed Demons for avoiding the hard ball and playing a bruise-free style.

"Absolutely I totally reject it. Go and turn the Adelaide game on," Bailey said of Melbourne's big win over the Crows in round seven.

"We had some instances during the (Carlton) game when we were hard and tough at the footy."

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