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Peachey was the last Sharks player to touch the ball. To the bitter end, the 31-year-old with the relaxed demeanour that belies an intense competitive streak, did everything he could to salvage victory.
"I thought ... as long as Peach is on the field, anything can happen," Bailey said. "When he ran at the end and chipped, I thought, 'he'll score, we'll go to extra time, we'll get out of it'."
"The thing I'll miss most is when you're busting your backside, a kick goes over your head, you turn around and you have this feeling you're safe as houses," Bailey said.
"David Peachey will not drop it. It doesn't matter if the ball comes blind over his shoulder, it will be over his head, he'll take it one-handed, he'll get out of touch, he'll pass.
"There's nothing better for a forward who has been working his bum off to see him."
Next season the jersey made famous by the boy from Dubbo will be worn by local junior David Simmons, who served his apprenticeship this year on the wing. Peachey will continue his career in England, watching Simmons' progress from afar.
"I saw Simmo with a tear in his eye and I told him to wear the No.1 with pride because he's the custodian come next year," Peachey said.
"I'll be keeping an eye on him over the next few weeks to make sure he's a worthy No.1. He can be anything.
"He's shown in his rookie year what he can be. I think he's matured this year, been able to have a year of first grade under his belt and kick forward.
"What he can do is only up to David now ... I'm sure he'll kick on and be the custodian for years to come."
Peachey wasn't the only Sharks stalwart to farewell the NRL as the club bowed out of the premiership race.
Prop Jason Stevens watched the game nursing a busted shoulder. The former NSW and Australian forward had announced plans to retire this season, with his spot to be filled next season by Queensland prop Ben Ross. "He's a great player," Stevens said. "He's tried and tested, he won a comp with Penrith, played Origin, and been outstanding."
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16568399-23214,00.html
"I thought ... as long as Peach is on the field, anything can happen," Bailey said. "When he ran at the end and chipped, I thought, 'he'll score, we'll go to extra time, we'll get out of it'."
"The thing I'll miss most is when you're busting your backside, a kick goes over your head, you turn around and you have this feeling you're safe as houses," Bailey said.
"David Peachey will not drop it. It doesn't matter if the ball comes blind over his shoulder, it will be over his head, he'll take it one-handed, he'll get out of touch, he'll pass.
"There's nothing better for a forward who has been working his bum off to see him."
Next season the jersey made famous by the boy from Dubbo will be worn by local junior David Simmons, who served his apprenticeship this year on the wing. Peachey will continue his career in England, watching Simmons' progress from afar.
"I saw Simmo with a tear in his eye and I told him to wear the No.1 with pride because he's the custodian come next year," Peachey said.
"I'll be keeping an eye on him over the next few weeks to make sure he's a worthy No.1. He can be anything.
"He's shown in his rookie year what he can be. I think he's matured this year, been able to have a year of first grade under his belt and kick forward.
"What he can do is only up to David now ... I'm sure he'll kick on and be the custodian for years to come."
Peachey wasn't the only Sharks stalwart to farewell the NRL as the club bowed out of the premiership race.
Prop Jason Stevens watched the game nursing a busted shoulder. The former NSW and Australian forward had announced plans to retire this season, with his spot to be filled next season by Queensland prop Ben Ross. "He's a great player," Stevens said. "He's tried and tested, he won a comp with Penrith, played Origin, and been outstanding."
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16568399-23214,00.html
