RETIRED Melbourne defender Bernie Vince has returned to the club in a part-time leadership and ambassadorial role for 2019.

Vince, who announced his retirement following five seasons and 100 games with the Demons, was at training on Monday as the full squad reported for duty at Gosch's Paddock. 

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said Vince would be working one or two days per week in his new job. 

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"We're delighted that Bernie's agreed to continue his relationship with the Melbourne Football Club in a part-time coaching capacity," Mahoney told the club's website.

"He'll work with our first-year players and be an ambassador for our Next Generation Academy.

"We are really excited by what he can pass onto our first-year players and the transition they can make into AFL footballers." 

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The 33-year-old's experience will be called upon in multiple capacities, according to Mahoney.

"He'll be involved with our playing group, particularly with our first-year guys and then some involvement probably once a month with our Next Generation Academy players as well," Mahoney said.

"Bernie's also going to assist the club off-field, working with our media team and events at different stages throughout the year, which again is really good for his development and his interests outside of football."

Vince played 229 AFL games – 129 with the Adelaide from 2006-13 and 100 with the Demons from 2014-18.