Dean Bailey thought it was ridiculous that someone, anyone, would remember the numbers he wore for Essendon in his 53 league games in the late 1980s and early 90s.

As was his style, Dean enjoyed playing down his playing career to the point where you wondered how the self-described “stumpy and slow plodder” from North Ringwood ever forced his way into the powerful Bombers team of the period.

But he did, tapping the smart football brain he later called on through coaching and development roles with Essendon, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and, finally, Adelaide.

It would have been unjust if Dean’s association with the AFL ended with the “sacked coach” headlines from Melbourne in 2011. Or through last year’s AFL-imposed suspension.

This was a man who had too much to offer the game, its players and coaches to be cast aside.

Fortunately, Dean was able to throw himself into the challenges at the Adelaide Football Club not long after his testing senior coaching stint at Melbourne finished.

He was the calm, thoughtful voice of reason who loved footy and was quickly loved by the players and football staff.

Then, last year’s 16-round AFL-ban forced him into a nomadic existence around the Club’s administration offices, where another part of the footy club learnt to appreciate his dry wit, smiling eyes, clear thinking and deep sense of Club.

The competitive part of Dean would have loved to have debated parts of the process leading to his lengthy ban. He chose not to.

It was a challenging phase for a man of honor, a man of the game, a man all for the game and his club.

Dean’s time at the Adelaide Football Club was relatively short but his impression was deep and will be lasting.

Bails, you proudly wore 42 and 31 at Essendon. Now, we at the Adelaide Football Club are proud to have been your home for what, sadly, was the end of your outstanding service to the game.