AFL mourns death of Dean Bailey after battle with lung cancer (original) (raw)
Adelaide AFL senior assistant coach Dean Bailey has died after a battle with lung cancer.
Bailey, 47, died on Tuesday morning and the club's players and staff were called to the West Lakes headquarters to learn of the loss.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the Adelaide Crows said they were deeply saddened by the passing of a much loved friend and colleague.
"As many are aware, Dean had been battling cancer with his usual resilience and positive attitude, since being diagnosed last November," the statement said.
"A fiercely loyal and caring man, Dean leaves a lasting impression on everyone at the Adelaide Football Club, and the football industry."
Crows Chief Executive Steven Trigg said Bailey will be remembered as a hard-working, family man.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dean's wife, Caron and children Darcy and Mitchell," he said.
"They know that the entire Crows family is here to help and offer support."
Trigg said few understood the game better than Bailey.
"He often told how he gained most pleasure from teaching and helping young men become better players and more importantly, better people," Trigg said.
"Dean's dry sense of humour also provided many priceless moments.
"His influence stretches far beyond the Adelaide Football Club, given his involvement in the game across three states."
A distinguished career
Bailey's VFL/AFL career began at Essendon in 1986, after he was recruited from North Ringwood in the Club's zone.
He played 53 league games until 1992, and then spent three years with SANFL club Glenelg, where he won the best-and-fairest trophy in 1995.
After three years coaching Queensland club Mt Gravatt, Bailey returned to Essendon as a development coach.
In 2002 he joined Port Adelaide, working under coach Mark Williams as an assistant in the 2004 premiership.
Melbourne appointed Bailey as its senior coach for the 2008 season and he coached the Demons in 85 games.
He joined Adelaide in September 2011 as strategy and innovation coach.
The club has assembled an expert panel to assist with the counselling of players, coaches and staff.
Players, coaches pay tribute
Players and coaches went online to pay tribute following news of Bailey's passing:
Sad sad day!! Dean Bailey is one of the great men. So glad to have known him!Will miss our dinner dates down at Brighton! Rip mate!!
Bernie Vince - @bvince23 March 11, 2014
Such bad news about the passing of Dean Bailey. My thoughts are with his family at this time. RIP
Shaun Burgoyne - @ShaunBurgoyne9 March 11, 2014
Dean Bailey a great football person with a dry wit and a sharp mind. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family.
Kevin Sheedy - @Kevin_Sheedy March 11, 2014
Absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Dean Bailey. Condolences to Caron and the kids. Such a great coach and person to know.
Troy Chaplin - @troychaplin25 March 11, 2014
The club is deeply saddened by the passing of former player and assistant coach Dean Bailey. Our thoughts are with the Bailey family.
Essendon FC - @EssendonFC March 11, 2014
Thoughts are with the Bailey family right now. Learned so much from Dean Bailey as the development coach in my first few years at Essendon.
Ted Richards - @tedrichards25 March 11, 2014
All at the Melbourne Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dean Bailey.
Melbourne FC - @melbournefc March 11, 2014
AFL Coaches Association chief executive Danny Frawley said that "Dean Bailey made an enormous contribution to football for almost 30 years across three states and with a broad range of clubs and organisations".
"Many young men will be thankful for having been tutored and mentored by Dean and we will all be better for having known him.
"Dean has always been a strong supporter of the AFLCA and was a positive advocate of the programs put in place for coaches in the industry.
"Our sincere condolences to Dean’s wife Caron and their two boys, Darcy and Mitchell."
ABC / AAP