Bailey hails McDermott’s influence

NEVER mind ending Leeds Rhinos’ 15-year quest for Challenge Cup glory, managing someone like Ryan Bailey has to be one of Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott’s biggest feats.
Ryan Bailey and Jamie Jones-BuchananRyan Bailey and Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Ryan Bailey and Jamie Jones-Buchanan

The combustible prop, 30, has had a colourful career and plenty of disciplinary issues.

But, having at last added the Challenge Cup to his six Grand Final winners’ medals, Bailey admitted McDermott is the man who makes him tick most.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He is my best coach,” said the front-row, who has amassed more than 300 games for his hometown club.

“He understands me the most out of all the coaches I’ve had, I am a hard bloke to work with sometimes but he’s great and gets the best out of me.

“See the boys at the end; we went straight to Mac to slap him on the back and handshake him. He has had the right game plan straight through the Challenge Cup, again today too, and we have stuck to it.”

Team-mate Paul Aiton picked up his first winners medal since joining from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats although his preparations had been far from ideal after his name was mentioned in Australian reports concerning a doping scandal at his former club Cronulla Sharks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has been a really difficult week,” said the hooker, who became the first Papuan to win a Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

“I only know what’s been in the newspapers, I only know as much about it as anyone else.

“I haven’t been approached by anyone, or any organisation.

“It has been hard, especially with the size of this game, but I have just kept focused and the club has been great. And this is what I came here for.”