Was a lovely guy who I had the pleasure of getting to know on a few occasions. Rest in peace Bails, say hi to Jimmy for us

Great football person and a great bloke, heart goes out to his family!

He will be getting a state funeral. RIP Bails.

Hope the players he was close to are doing ok to.

Vale Bails.

RIP. Condolences to his family on the loss of a good man.

Very sad news indeed RIP Dean.

Sympathy to his family it's an insidious disease.

Edited March 10, 201412 yr by RobbieF

I'm surprised at how hard this hit me actually. I'm in shock, and feeling very sad for his family. I met Dean briefly back in 2008, his sons were young teenagers then, so are now about the same age I was when I lost my old man. My heart goes out to them and his wife.

Shocking news.

I feel very sad.

Terrible for his wife and boys. I hope they're always made welcome at the Melbourne Football Club.

R.I.P Dean.

Regrettably, some posters have decided to turn this sad news into an occasion to make unnecessary political comment. These have been either deleted or censored; their subject matter is for another place and time.

Please remember and respect the solemnity of the occasion - a man who worked hard for this club has lost his life at far too young an age.

Just nine days short of two years since Jimmy passed. Two of the best taken way too young

Wow. If that doesn't give us perspective nothing will.

Met him a few times. Lovely bloke. Well respected. Dealt a raw hand by the MFC and by life.

RIP Bails

Regrettably, some posters have decided to turn this sad news into an occasion to make unnecessary political comment. These have been either deleted or censored; their subject matter is for another place and time.

Please remember and respect the solemnity of the occasion - a man who worked hard for this club has lost his life at far too young an age.

Thank you sincerely for posting this. I wanted to bite back at one comment in particular, but thought better of it

Just nine days short of two years since Jimmy passed. Two of the best taken way too young

Sean Wight?

Had the fortune to meet him on several occasions while he was Coach of MFC. He was an absolutely terrific person, who cared very deeply about his players. From the little l saw they regarded him with real affection for his 'father-figure' role in attempting to 'grow them up' as young players and more importantly as men. He also seemed to have an excellent wry humour, which most of all showed that he did not take himself too seriously. He also seemed to understand the power of football in these (and other) young men's lives and the positive role it could play in society.

He was a fine, humble and genuine man. A real loss to the footy community.

Sean Wight?

Was making a reference to the timing. Sean Wight died in June 2011 if I remember correctly; but yes, another sad, premature loss

Terribly sad...im in total shock....copped a triple raw deal when sacked by us, then suspendeed by afl, and then cancer.

Another decent man gone, way too young to be taken, terrible for his family. he'll catch up with jimmy for a pint of guiness. RIP

I just read he won a B+F at Glenelg in 1995 after he finished at Essendon. I'm tipping by that stage the SANFL had diluted down from it's peak to definitely under the standard of the AFL but it's still a good achievement. I think the perception of his coaching suffered because he wasn't a big name player but he was probably a better player than I ever thought or knew.

I always have thought to myself, that in spite of the results and aftermath of his time at the club, if I were to bump into him I'd still make sure I shook his hand and thanked him for his time there.

I'm saddened that I'll never get that chance.

I always have thought to myself, that in spite of the results and aftermath of his time at the club, if I were to bump into him I'd still make sure I shook his hand and thanked him for his time there.

I'm saddened that I'll never get that chance.

that's pretty much how i feel. Would have happily shared a couple of jugs with Bails.

I hope he and Jimma can now catch up...

I'm shocked.way too young. Terrible news, condolences to his family and friends.

Terrible news

Bugger

Thoughts go out to his family

Thanks Dean

It's a shocking disease, rest in peace Bails! Gone way to soon!

R.I.P

Some photos if anyone wants a trip down memory lane

http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/afl/former-melbourne-coach-dean-bailey-dies-20140311-34ir6.html?aggregate=&selectedImage=0