DEAN Bailey will be at the helm of Melbourne until at least the end of 2011 after signing a contract extension.
Bailey's tenure hasn't been overly successful thus far with the Demons winning just seven times from 44 games
Despite his poor record, Melbourne president Jim Stynes said the club was confident Bailey was taking the Dees in the right direction.
"In just over two years, Dean has laid the foundations for what we think will be a prolonged period of achievement," Stynes said.
"Solidarity and stability is important with a young group of players, and this decision will give them confidence moving forward."
Stynes also said the decision to give Bailey a new deal wasn't a rash one.
"We made this decision in our own time," he said.
"The process started at the end of last season, during the football department review. The decision to extend Dean’s contract was ratified by the Board of Directors, at last Friday’s board meeting.
"We see Dean as being a big part of the long term future of the Melbourne Football Club."
"This now gives him appropriate time to drive his vision and expectations for the playing group"
Bailey was pleased that the club had backed him.
"I'm looking forward working with this group as they develop as both players and people," Bailey said.
"The last two seasons have been years of great change, and it has been well documented that we have rebuilt through the draft but now it's a matter of putting game time into these young players as a group."
"This year, I expect our playing group to have a competitive attitude right from the start of games."
"Last year, we won 32 quarters of football and this has to change."
"We need to be in games right from the opening minute in order for us to win more matches for our members and supporters."
MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says he sees the club's boom recruits Tom Scully and Jack Trengrove as 'equals'.
As expected, Scully was taken with pick one in the national draft while Trengrove was picked up with the number two pick.
Bailey admitted he would have loved to have had the pair share the top honour.
"We couldn't split them, unfortunately we were required to call them out one-by-one, but if it was up to me, I'd call both of them out together," Bailey said.
"I see them both as equals and they're going to really contribute well to the Melbourne Football Club."
Scully, a 182cm, 77kg midfielder who has been likened to Ben Cousins in terms of his running ability, said the pressure of being the No.1 draft pick was 'external'.
"All players that come to the club start off the same. If you let that sort of stuff get to you too much, it affects your football," Scully said.
"But if you just stay strong and stick to the stuff you know, that stuff shouldn't really worry you too much."
Trengrove, who captained South Australia at the under-18 championships and played senior football with Sturt in the SANFL this year, said there wasn't too much difference between being taken with pick one or two.
"We're going to the same club and we're going to have the same respect from the other players," Trengrove said.
"We're going to have to earn some respect and really work hard from the start."
"The number doesn't really mean everything until your out there playing footy and showing how good you are."
MELBOURNE has re-signed trio Clint Bartram, Kyle Cheney and Tom McNamara but did not reveal the length of the new deals.
Bartram has played 59 games for the Demons after being taken with pick 60 in the 2005 national draft.
Cheney and McNamara joined the club via the 2007 national draft and have managed 12 and three appearances respectively.
Meanwhile, the club has delisted forward Michael Newton and ruckman John Meesen.
Newton played five matches this year for a total of 21 while Meesen played just four games with Melbourne after playing two for Adelaide in 2007.
The pair, who have one year remaining on their contracts, have been told by the Demons that they will be re-drafted as rookies if there is no interest from any other clubs.
Rhys Healey, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Hughes and Jake Spencer have all been retained on the rookie List while Cameron Bruce has been placed on the veterans list.
MELBOURNE speedster Aaron Davey was named as the Demons' best-and-fairest on Wednesday night.
Davey, who signed a new four-deal with Melbourne two weeks ago, polled 82 votes to win his first Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy.
The classy 26-year-old finished ahead of Brent Moloney (69) and Cameron Bruce (56).
Forward Matthew Bate was fourth with 47 votes while Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia and Matthew Warnock polled 44 votes each to finish equal fifth.
Davey enjoyed his best season in 2009, playing all 22 games and recording a career-high
total disposals (504) and tackles (90).
2009 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy Top 10
1 - Aaron Davey (82)
2 - Brent Moloney (69)
3 - Cameron Bruce (56)
4 - Matthew Bate (47)
5 - Nathan Jones (44)
5 - Colin Sylvia (44)
5 - Matthew Warnock (44)
8 - James Frawley (43)
9 - James McDonald (42)
9 - Cale Morton (42)
MELBOURNE president Jim Stynes has declared at the club's best-and-fairest count at Crown Casino on Wednesday night that he hopes to be cancer-free by the end of next month.
Stynes has been undergoing radiation treatment over the past two weeks in a bid to get rid of three tumours in his brain.
The inspirational 43-year-old was upbeat as he updated more than 800 Demons faithful on his battle against cancer.
"Obviously, it's hard not to notice the nude nut," Stynes said.
"I was actually hoping to come with a number two (haircut) but it sort of got ahead of me yesterday. It started to fall out."
"When my daughter (Matisse) got to see it there this morning she got a bit of a shock to say the least. She's coping, she had a good laugh."
"My four-year-old boy (Tiernan) has got a number two . He thought it was very cool. If he thinks it's cool, I'm very happy with that."
Stynes, who said he would have a four-week break from radiation therapy, admitted the first round of treatment had affected him a bit.
"At the end of November I have to do one more session which should, please God, finish it off, get rid of the tumours in the brain," he said.
"I'm feeling a lot better since Monday because when you go through it you feel nauseous."
"As my poor wife (Samantha) has had to deal with, you feel grumpy and you're not as much fun to be around, so I'm starting to pep up again."
Despite his personal battle, Stynes was quick to turn the attention back onto the Melbourne Football Club.
The Demons may have won back-to-back wooden spoons but Stynes believes the future is bright.
"I see it as the dawning of a new era. We have been through 15 months of saving and really stabilising our club," he said.
"We have restructured our club, and we've bottomed out as a team, and between last year and this year we have the opportunity through the draft to rebuild."
"Obviously, we just need a little bit of patience from everyone."
MELBOURNE has axed midfielders Simon Buckley and Shane Valenti.
Buckley featured in just one game in 2009 - the round one clash against North Melbourne before injuries ruined his season.
The 22-year-old, who was taken with pick 53 in the 2005 national draft, made his AFL debut in 2007 and played 21 matches.
Valenti was twice elevated from the rookie list and managed 15 appearances for the Demons including six this season.
MELBOURNE duo Mark Jamar and Brad Miller have signed contract extensions which will tie them to the Demons until the end of next season.
Jamar had attracted interest from Port Adelaide who is desperate to fill the vacancy left by retired ruckman Brendon Lade but he elected not to return to his native South Australia.
The 26-year-old was taken with pick six in the 2001 rookie draft and has played 73 games for the Demons since making his debut in round one, 2003.
Miller was the number 55 selection in the 2001 national draft and has played 127 games for the club since making his debut in round eight, 2002.
Melbourne's list manager Tim Harrington said the club was 'really pleased' to have re-signed the pair.
"They are both experienced players at the club, and at 26 years of age we expect them both to play an important role for the team next year," Harrington said.
JIM Stynes' battle with cancer has taken a turn for the worst with the former Melbourne president revealing that he has three tumours on the brain.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning Stynes revealed via the social networking site Twitter the discovery of a 'little tumour on brain' but in a tweet published on Thursday night indicated his condition was more serious than first thought.
"Pushed it too far on cycle.In hospital.Feeling better.3 tumours in brain.Fight cont.Treatm.,looks pos.Specialist 2morrow.Big24hrs!Thx2all," Stynes wrote.
The 43-year-old was initially diagnosed with a malignant lump on his back and has twice undergone surgery to remover cancerous tissue since stepping down as president in July.
MELBOURNE legend Jim Stynes has a small brain tumour.
Stynes revealed his latest health concern via the social networking site Twitter.
"Small bump on recover, little tumour on brain, will know soon,'' Stynes wrote.
"Good news PETscan all clean on rest body. great support everyone xox''.
The 43-year-old temporarily stepped down from his role as Demons president in July after being diagnosed with cancer.
He underwent surgery in July and again in September after two new tumours were discovered.
The operation was deemed a success and Stynes' recovery was reported to be progressing well.
September 30th 2009 05:06
MELBOURNE star Aaron Davey has ended speculation about his future by signing a new four-year deal which will see him remain with the Demons until at least the end of 2013.
There had been reports that the 26-year-old wanted to leave the club to play alongside his younger brother Alwyn at Essendon.
Davey enjoyed a career-best season in 2009, playing all 22 matches and averaging 23 possessions per game.
Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said Davey was an important part of the club's future.
"We are very pleased that Aaron has committed to the Melbourne Football Club," Harrington said.
"He is a player who is held in high regard and is a big part of the club's future success."
"Aside from his obvious playing talents, Aaron's leadership qualities are first class."
"His work, particularly with our young group of indigenous players, has been outstanding and has gone a long way to contributing to the success of players such as Liam Jurrah."
September 25th 2009 00:56
MELBOURNE duo Colin Sylvia and Austin Wonaeamirri have signed two-year deals which will see them remain with the club until at least the end of the 2011 season.
The news comes in the wake of the Demons reaching an in-principle agreement with Carlton to trade rugged midfielder Brock McLean for pick 11 in this year's national draft.
Sylvia played 17 matches in the best season of his career, which included a 37-possession and four goal performance against Hawthorn in round nine.
The 23-year-old was taken with pick three in the 2003 national draft and has played 87 games for Melbourne
Wonaeamirri was restricted to just one game in 2009 due to hamstring and knee injuries after an impressive debut season which saw him boot 24 goals in 18 appearances.
Demons list manager Tim Harrington said the pair were an 'integral part' of the club's future.
"It's great that Colin and Austin have both committed to the Melbourne Football Club. We have a promising group of young players, and they are an integral part of our future," Harrington said.
"Colin stepped up considerably in 2009 and showed us what he is capable of on a more consistent basis. Austin struggled with injuries but, after a full pre-season, we are confident that he can make a strong impact in 2010."
Sylvia and Wonaeamirri join recent signings Cale Morton, Jack Grimes, Stefan Martin and Addam Maric and skipper James McDonald.
September 23rd 2009 22:34
MELBOURNE midfielder Brock McLean is set to join Carlton.
McLean, who was touted as a future captain of the Demons, met with club officials on Monday morning to confirm his decision to leave the club after 94 games in six seasons.
An in-principle agreement is in place with the Blues for its first pick in the national draft (11th overall).
Melbourne list mananger Tim Harrington admitted the club is disappointed to lose McLean but said they are now in a 'very strong position' to continue re-building their list.
"It is very disappointing to lose a player of Brock's calibre, once Brock made this decision it was important that we secured a commensurate trade. This has been achieved," Harrington said.
"We are now in a very strong position at the National Draft with four selections inside the top 18, all before any other Clubs' second selections have occurred. In the context of the last uncompromised draft for a number of years, this represents an outstanding opportunity to further build and develop our young playing list."
McLean said in a statement that the decision to leave Melbourne wasn't an easy one.
"I have come to the decision that the best thing for my football career is to move on from Melbourne," McLean said.
"While it has been an extremely tough decision as I have given the club my all, I am confident it is the right one for both parties."
TonyK
Cibbuano
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