MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has revealed midfielder Aaron Davey told the club of his 'lack of preparation and unprofessionalism' after the team's one-point win over the Brisbane Lions, which is why he was not suspended by the leadership group beforehand.
Bailey said Davey came forward with his information after it was playing on his mind.
"Aaron probably came to the realisation after the game that he'd probably done the wrong thing and it wasn't until after the game that it had eaten him up inside – he really felt like he let his teammates down," Bailey said.
"It was soon after that he realised that 'I'd done the wrong thing' and he has a very high regard, Aaron, and he came forward and said, 'This is what's happened and these are the events that have happened and I feel embarrassed and disappointed'.
"It's good that he came to us … and said, 'This is how I feel and we need to do this and sit down and talk about it'. So in one sense it was good, and another sense it might be the beginning of Aaron becoming more of that leader that we all want him to be.
"He came forward and the leadership group took over and we discussed it and from the history that we've had at the club. I'm very, very determined to ensure that this club is very well led on the ground and led off the ground and behaviour is very important."
Bailey conceded the leadership group had taken a tough stance on Davey.
"The guys in the leadership group have been very firm from pretty much day one and we don't intend to take a backward step. There are behaviours and there are expectations placed on all players across the line," Bailey said.
"You get to deal with the leadership group and the rest of their peers and they've been very strong with their stance and that'll still be the case for the rest of the year and the years to come."
Bailey added that Jeff White remains in the mix for a recall to take on the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Sunday, after the ruckman was given a spell last weekend from playing with Sandringham.
"There's still a few days to go until selection, so Jeff's name will be in the mix and three or four others who played reasonably well on the weekend for Sandringham against North Ballarat, so they're all in the mix," Bailey said.
"Jeff doesn't miss a lot of training, Jeff doesn't miss a lot of football and he prepares as well as anyone. There was not a fitness or a physical nature – he's fine and he's raring to go, so he deserves a break like anyone else … so he got the week off."
Bailey also said co-captain James McDonald (groin) remained a 50-50 proposition for round 15.
