The 206cm ruckman managed just two matches this season as a wrist injury had him sidelined on the eve of Round 1.
But, after diligently working his way through his rehabilitation program, was an emergency for all three of Hawthorn’s 2012 finals matches and was fit and ready to step up if needed.
General Manager - Football Operations, Mark Evans says the challenge for Bailey now, is to reclaim his crown as the Hawks’ number one ruckman as he embarks on a full pre-season commencing in late November.
“By the time he was ready and raring to go, the Hawthorn team was reasonably settled. He was waiting in the wings in case there was an injury,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“The challenge for Maxy is, now that he’s of good health and has a good pre-season he hopefully resumes the number one ruck mantle.”
Evans is confident in Bailey’s ability to reclaim the number one ruck spot, a position teammates David Hale and Jarryd Roughead made their own in the absence of Bailey this season.
He also believes the changes to the ruck rules, where ruckmen can’t wrestle prior to the bounce of the ball could favour Bailey’s playing style.
“The previous year (2011) Max carried the number one ruck mantle pretty well,” he said.
“With the change in the ruck rule, he’s very mobile, agile, good off the ground, below his knees, tackles, he does all the things you want your ruckmen to do. It might turn out those changes to the ruck rules give him some advantage anyway.”
Despite playing just the two matches for Hawthorn in 2012, Evans credited Bailey’s attitude to another lengthy layoff in 2012 and his contribution to the Club.
“He has been for a long time one of the most outstanding contributors to the Club,” he said.
“He has been recognised in the past as Best Clubman and his attitude towards himself and his teammates and his club has been absolutely outstanding.
“He has always got a smile on his face and always gives it his very best.”
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