Poor start cost us: Bailey

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey said his side’s slow start out of the blocks had cost it dearly against North Melbourne on Sunday.

The Kangaroos, who went into the match knowing a win would see them jump from 10th to fifth on the AFL ladder, came out firing in the first quarter to set up their 28-point win over the Demons.

While Bailey’s team turned the ball over when it had the ball in its hands, the Kangaroos quickly transferred play down their end where the impressive Corey Jones – who kicked three first-quarter goals – was able to capatalise.

“It was a really poor start, seven goals to one at quarter time was really ordinary,” Bailey said after Sunday’s loss.

“But they were pretty good. They moved the ball pretty well … again it was some of our poor decision-making and their counter attack at really good speed.

“We started off poorly and from then on it was catch-up for the rest of the game.”

Melbourne outscored the Kangaroos in both the third and final quarters but the damage had been done, with Dean Laidley’s side eventually registering a convincing win, 14.14 (98) to 10.10 (70).

The Demons had endured a turbulent week after the much-publicised sacking of chief executive Paul McNamee.

So had those off-field incidents effected Bailey’s players in their preparation for Sunday’s clash?

“No … we just spoke about it during the week and when the meeting was finished I said that was it, we’re here to play footy,” Bailey said.

“That was it, really, nothing more than that.”

Among North Melbourne’s stars on the day was midfielder Brent Harvey, who further enhanced his Brownlow Medal chances with 27 touches and two goals.

“He’s a very important player for them,” Bailey said of the Kangaroos star.

“He covers some ground, his possessions are normally at speed. When he’s got the football the game quickens up.

“He was good and we knew that he was a player we needed to try to prevent from being effective but he’s always going to get some possessions.”

Among Harvey’s opponents was Demon tagger Lynden Dunn, who was reported for striking North Melbourne’s No.29 twice in the space of 30 seconds.

“Dunny’s concentration probably lapsed for three seconds or two seconds but that’s all it takes,” Bailey said.

“But he’s a very determined, very competitive beast, Lynden.

“So we took him off and had a chat to him and said ‘I’m going to put you back on him mate, and you’ve just got to concentrate harder and have your positioning correct, that’s all’.