Dean Bailey loses battle with cancer

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The 47-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.

Adelaide players, coaches and staff heard the news at West Lakes on Tuesday morning.

After being sacked by Melbourne towards the end of 2011, Bailey moved to Adelaide to be the club's strategy and innovation coach.

"The Adelaide Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of a much loved friend and colleague Dean Bailey," read a statement from the Crows.

"As many are aware, Dean had been battling cancer with his usual resilience and positive attitude, since being diagnosed last November.

"Sadly, he passed away overnight, surrounded by family.

"A fiercely loyal and caring man, Dean leaves a lasting impression on everyone at the Adelaide Football Club, and the football industry."

Popular among the players, Bailey will be sorely missed by the Crows as they look to open their new campaign against Geelong on Thursday March 20.

Some of the Adelaide players and coaches, including senior coach Brenton Sanderson, shaved their heads in support of Bailey over the summer.

Bailey played 53 matches for Essendon between 1986 and 1992 before becoming an assistant with Port Adelaide under Mark Williams, helping the Power to the 2004 premiership.

Bailey was appointed at Melbourne at the end of 2007 but struggled to lift the club up the ladder during his 83 games in charge, despite there being encouraging signs during the 2010 and 2011 seasons before his sacking.

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was quick to pass on his condolences to Bailey's family.

"I was fortunate enough to know Dean Bailey very well. I recruited him to Essendon and he was a very tough, reliable player who was very unlucky to not to have played in a Grand Final.

"Dean went on to become an excellent coach who helped Port Adelaide win a premiership in 2004. He later became senior coach at Melbourne which he helped drag off the bottom of the ladder and he handled his untimely departure from the club with tremendous dignity.

"He was a great football person who had a dry sense of humour and a very sharp mind. On behalf of everyone at the GIANTS, we pass on our condolences to his wife Caron and two boys Darcy and Mitchell. He will be sadly missed but certainly not forgotten."

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