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."
MELBOURNE skipper James McDonald will play on next season after signing a new one-year deal with the Demons.
The 33-year-old was a consistent performer in 2009, averaging 19 possessions in 18 appearances.
Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said McDonald's leadership was vital as the club continues to rebuild.
"James' form has dictated that he plays on in 2010. He has shown this year that he still has much to offer at the elite level, and we see his leadership as a huge asset to the Melbourne Football Club. He sets a great example for our young players with his dedication to the team cause," Harrington said.
McDonald, who was taken with pick 51 in the 1996 rookie draft, has played 235 games and won the club's best-and-fairest award in 2006 and 2007.
He also earned All-Australian honours in 2006 and could become just the seventh Demon to reach the 250-game milestone next year.
MELBOURNE forward Russell Robertson has announced his career at the Demons will come to a close at the end of this season.
Robertson said he was told several weeks ago that his time with the club was up.
The 30-year-old will play his final match for the Demons against St Kilda in round 22 but he is keen to ressurect his career at another club.
"I'll definitely put my hand up (to play again). As a footballer, I don't think it is over," Robertson said.
"Last year I was injured and fought back and I was still able to kick a few goals (this year)."
The high-flying forward has played 226 games for Melbourne over 13 seasons and has kicked 422 goals – the fourth-highest total in the club’s history behind club greats David Neitz (631), Norm Smith (546) and Garry Lyon (426).
MELBOURNE youngsters Jack Grimes and Stefan Martin have signed new deals which will see them remain with the Demons until at least the end of the 2011 season.
Grimes, who was taken with pick 14 in the 2007 national draft, played 11 games this season as a creative defender after making his debut in round 22 last year and received a NAB Rising Star nomination for his 29-possession performance against West Coast in round 14.
Melbourne's list manager Tim Harrington said Grimes has shown maturity beyond his years.
"He is only a 12-game player, but he plays the game like a 50-game player, and we think he can go on to play a major role for the Melbourne Football Club in the future," Harrington said.
Martin, who was an elite basketballer at junior level, was recruited from the Sandringham Zebras with the number three pick in the 2008 pre-season draft.
The 22-year-old has already become one of Melbourne's most versatile players after just 26 games.
Harrington said Martin could develop into something special.
"Stef's potential for improvement is high," he said.
"He is a taller type, and can play in multiple positions, which is a real strength."
"He's shown versatility obviously, but he's shown some attributes where you think: 'Wow, this kid could really bring something left of centre to the team."
MELBOURNE has recorded just its fourth win of the season, thumping Fremantle to the tune of 63 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Demons took control of the contest in the second term before eventulally running out convincing 20.7 (127) to 9.10 (64) winners.
The result means Melbourne now can’t afford to win or draw another game otherwise they will miss out on a priority pick.
But with matches against Carlton and undefeated ladder leaders St Kilda to finish the home-and-away season it is highly unlikely that they will secure any more premiership points.
It was a bitterly disappointing performance from Fremantle which has now lost its past six matches at the MCG.
Aaron Davey did the damage in the middle with a game-high 31 possessions and two goals while Brock McLean made an impressive return from a knee injury with 26 disposals and two majors.
Brent Moloney (30) and Nathan Jones (28) were influential in close while Shane Valenti (30) was also prolific.
Melbourne had 11 individual goal kickers for the match - exciting youngster Liam Jurrah the most effective with four, including a freakish effort in the final term. Jurrah was lying on the ground with his back to the goals but somehow managed to put his left foot to ball between three defenders and split the middle.
Matthew Bate provided a strong target up forward with 25 possessions, eight marks and three goals while veteran Russell Robertson also chipped in with three majors.
For the Dockers, Paul Hasleby racked up a team-high 27 possessions while skipper Matthew Pavlich (25) tried hard all day but wasn’t his usual damaging self.
Fremantle forward Luke McPharlin was too good for James Frawley in the first term and booted three goals for the quarter.
But despite McPharlin's dominance the Dockers found themselves trailing by two points at the first change after the Demons got two goals each from Ricky Petterd and McLean.
Melbourne won more of the contested football, ran harder than their opponents and used the football well in the second term as they slammed on five goals to one to open up a 27-point lead at the main break.
Fremantle got the crucial first goal of the second half with Nic Suban kicking truly on the run but their joy was short-lived as the Demons continued to control the corridor and responded four of the next five majors to blow the margin out to 38 points at three-quarter time.
The Demons didn’t take their foot off the pedal in the final stanza, adding a further seven goals to cap off their best performance of the season.
MELBOURNE 4.0, 9.4, 13.5, 20.7 (127)
FREMANTLE 3,4, 4.7, 6.9, 9.10 (64)
GOALS: Melbourne: Jurrah 4, Robertson 3, Bate 3, McLean 2, Davey 2, Petterd, McNamara, Johnson, Miller, Sylvia, Valenti.
Fremantle:BEST: Melbourne: Davey, McLean, Jones, Moloney, Bate, Valenti, Jurrah,
Fremantle: Hasleby, Pavlich, Broughton, Duffield.
INJURIES: Melbourne: Nil.
Fremantle: Solomon (knee).
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Nil.
UMPIRES: Sully, Ryan, Wenn.
CROWD: 13,004 at the MCG.
MELBOURNE duo Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan will retire at the end of the season.
Both were selected in the 1999 national draft and gave invaluable service to the club
Wheatley, who is currently battling a thigh strain, has played 134 games for the Demons while Whelan who has played 148 games has a knee injury.
Despite sitting on the bottom of the ladder, Wheatley believes Melbourne is heading in the right direction and said he is hopeful of playing one last game.
"I'm proud to have played for the Melbourne Football Club," Wheatley said.
"I've really enjoyed my time here and have been lucky enough to have met some great people along the journey."
"It's been exciting to see the team develop around me. I think our current list of young players will hold the club and our supporters in very good stead over the next ten years and beyond."
"I'm currently fighting to overcome a quad injury but I'm looking forward to wearing the jumper one final time before the season is over.’
Whelan said he was proud of what he had achieved during his AFL career.
"I'm proud of what I have been able to achieve over time my time, including becoming the longest-serving indigenous player at the Melbourne Football Club," Whelan said.
"My early mentors are very special to me and I'd like to thank Jeff Farmer and Scott Chisholm for showing me the ropes when I first arrived in Melbourne in 1999."
"I know the club is heading in the right direction and it's going to be great to watch the next crop of young, indigenous players in Liam (Jurrah), Neville (Jetta), Jamie (Bennell), Austin (Wonaeamirri) and Aaron (Davey) blossom over their journey."
Whelan also paid tribute to his family and said he was looking forward to the next stage of his life.
‘I couldn’t have done this without my brother Brett, and my dad Kirk, They are my harshest critics, but their advice and blessing has been invaluable. Family is important to me, and I’d like to thank them for everything they have done for me," he said.
‘I now look forward to moving on to the next chapter of my life, with my son Kai and my fiancée Renee.’
MELBOURNE youngster Addam Maric has been fined $5000 for placing a bet on an AFL game.
The Demons said Maric informed the club that he'd breached the AFL's Code of Conduct by placing a bet for a friend on an AFL game on his betting account after attending an education session conducted by the ALFPA on gambling.
The wager was a single $100 bet on Collingwood to defeat the Western Bulldogs in round 15.
Maric told the league that he and a friend were betting on racing at the time and when his friend asked him to place a bet for him on the match he did so without thinking.
The AFL investigated the matter and accepted Maric's version of events.
Maric, who has copped the fine and also volunteered his time to help educate other young players to help prevent them making the same mistake, expressed remorse for actions.
"I am extremely embarrassed by my actions, and wish to apologise to the AFL, the Melbourne Football Club and the wider football community," Maric said.
"I know that as an AFL player, my actions have the ability to cause serious consequences, and for this I am truly sorry."
The 19-year-old was taken with pick 21 in the 2007 national draft and has played 11 games for Melbourne, including six this season.
MELBOURNE youngster Cale Morton has signed a new two-year deal which will see him remain with the Demons until at least the end of the 2011 season.
Morton was taken with pick four in the 2007 national draft and has played 37 games since making debut in round one last year.
The promising 19-year-old received a NAB Rising Star nomination last year, finished equal sixth in the club’s best-and-fairest and won the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy for best first year player.
Melbourne's list manager Tim Harrington said Morton was an 'integral part' of the club's future.
"He has developed strongly since arriving at the Club and has shown great versatility in his game, being able to play a number of different roles for the team," Harrington said.
"We have a promising group of young players, and Cale is an integral part of our future."
MELBOURNE utility Brad Green has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after scans confirmed he requires surgery on a left wrist injury.
Green has a scaphoid fracture and will undergo surgery next Tuesday to repair the injury. He will also have surgery on his right hand to repair a broken knuckle.
The 28-year-old will be right to join the Demons for pre-season training in October.
TonyK
Cibbuano
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