One year has passed since Dean Bailey died after a brief battle with cancer.

The popular Crows strategy and innovation coach, who had broad links across the football community after 30 years as a player and coach, was only 47.

Crows coach Phil Walsh, who spoke poignantly at Bailey’s memorial service last March when he was an assistant coach at Port, will be one of many who will mark the anniversary in their own way.

“I miss Dean Bailey, the world would be a better place if he was still here,” he said.

“I’m one of a number of people who’s trying to give Caron and the two boys as much support as possible.”

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 campaign.

Bailey coached Melbourne from 2008 until late in the 2011 season and he joined Adelaide in September 2011. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November, 2013, and passed away on March 11.

Adelaide honoured Bailey by introducing a new award at its Club Champion presentation for the best SANFL development list player. The inaugural winner was Michael O’Malley.