Max Bailey returned in round 9 of 2011 in a win over Sydney. Looking finally free of the injury curse, Bailey made a total of 16 senior appearances in the side that year. By trading 2008 premiership ruck Brent Renouf to Port Adelaide at the end of the 2011 season, the club effectively endorsed Bailey and the other rucks on the list to carry the mantle in 2012 and beyond. This plan struck a snag during the 2012 pre-season, when Bailey aggravated a wrist injury, which was set to keep him on the sidelines for around 12 weeks.