Davey clone could be answer for Dees - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Davey clone could be answer for Dees

By Laine Clark 28/06/2009 12:26:08 PM Comments (0)

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey thinks he may have the solution to easing the woes of long suffering Demons fans - clone Aaron Davey.

"If we could clone him we would be doing it," Bailey said with a wry smile after his team's 55-point AFL loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.

"It would be nice if I had two Aaron Daveys, one in our forward 50 kicking them and the other one kicking it inside 50.

"I mean, that would be terrific."

At least Bailey could attempt humour after the Lions mauled his team at the Gabba.

Certainly there was little to laugh about as his side continued to struggle, including much maligned No.1 draft pick Jack Watts.

Mistake-riddled Melbourne were truly thumped by the Lions - but it could have been worse.

At one stage the Demons were on track to rack up their lowest score - ever - when they went into the final break trailing by 74 with just 2.5 (17) to their name.

After amassing just five behinds in two quarters, it was conceivable that Melbourne would fall short of their 1901 effort of 2.11 (23).

However, the Demons outscored the Lions six goals to three in the final term in a late attempt to add some respectability to the scoreline - thanks mainly to Davey.

He was exceptional in a hapless team, collecting 31 disposals and a goal.

"He wants to improve, he wants to be a leader - his attitude has been terrific," Bailey said of Davey.

In contrast, Watts was again in the limelight for all the wrong reasons after struggling in his third game as a key forward.

He had only 10 disposals, four marks and kicked one behind.

Bailey said there was "no doubt" Watts would be rested from AFL action as he eased him through the season.

"I can't see Jack playing every game for the rest of the year, it'd be ridiculous of me to say that," he said.

"There's going to be times he's going to need a rest, there's no doubt.

"He's on holidays now for another two weeks, I think, and then he's back to school.

"We'll manage him, and make sure he's fresh to play."

There has been enormous scrutiny on an 18 year old still going to school and notching just his third AFL game.

"I'm not surprised (by the attention) because first-round draft picks, they're going to be evaluated every time they play, so that comes with the territory," Bailey said of Watts.

"He'd like to play well, he'd like to prove that he's a good player and he'd like to show more than one or two instances... that he's worthy of that No.1 draft pick.

"So the pressure's going to be on him for a while, but he's accepted that and he's going to get there, I think.

"He's got a really good attitude to it all."

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