THE FOOTBALL world has paid tribute to Adelaide senior assistant coach Dean Bailey, who has died aged just 47.

Bailey was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in December and subsequently took indefinite leave from the club, before losing his battle at 2am on Tuesday.

Adelaide players, coaches and staff were told of his death at 9.30am on Tuesday.

Shocked staff emerged from the meeting at 10.15am, some consoling each other, others simply trying to come to grips with the devastating news.

Players were later sent home for the day, and the club has enlisted professional help to assist those in need of counselling.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said Bailey left behind "a huge circle of friends" from his 30-year association with VFL-AFL football.

"His passing has shocked all in football, coming so soon after he was first diagnosed with illness, and devastated everyone who knew him well in the football community.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to Dean's family and friends at this very difficult time - as well as the Essendon, Adelaide Crows, Melbourne and Port Adelaide football clubs where he had so many friends, both for his dry humour and deep knowledge and great love of our game.

"[His wife] Caron and the boys will be strengthened by the regard in which Dean was held by all who knew him and we hope they can find comfort in their many good memories together."

Crows chief executive Steven Trigg said the club had lost "a great mate.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dean’s wife Caron and children Darcy and Mitchell," he said.

"They've had a horrible three months and a very challenging 18 months in reality, so our heart-felt sympathy is with them now and into the future.

“They know that the entire Crows family is here to help and offer support.

“Dean often told how he gained most pleasure from teaching and helping young men become better players and more importantly, better people.

“Dean’s dry sense of humour also provided many priceless moments."

Trigg said that although Bailey's death was "devastating", the club now had a responsibility to fulfil his wish to ruthlessly pursue success.

"In the moments that I was able to have personally with him he was strong, really strong on the fact that we as a club should press ahead with everything we do and need to do to be successful.

"That was his wish.

"For us as a club his direct message is really clear: we have a responsibility to do what he can't.

"To learn, to develop and to leave no stone unturned to be as successful as we can be ... that's our responsibility and it's one we've talked to the players about already this morning."

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said he took solace in knowing Bailey was no longer suffering.

"We were fortunate enough that we were able to spend a lot of time with Dean even up to this past weekend.

"His courage was just incredible, he just kept fighting and that's something we can all learn from … our thoughts today are with the Bailey family.

"I've certainly got some great memories of Bails and I feel really at peace now that he's no longer in pain.

"We're a football club in mourning, [but] we'll certainly forge ahead with the courage that Dean would have wanted us to."

Bailey spent time at both South Australian clubs during his career and was an integral part of Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership as defensive coach.
 
Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas said Bailey had been a highly respected part of the club from 2002-2007.
 
The Power will wear black armbands against Carlton in round one in his honour.



AFL Coaches' Association CEO Danny Frawley said, “Dean Bailey made an enormous contribution to football for almost 30 years across three states and with a broad range of clubs and organisations.
 
“Many young men will be thankful for having been tutored and mentored by Dean and we will all be better for having known him.
 
“Dean has always been a strong supporter of the AFLCA and was a positive advocate of the programs put in place for coaches in the industry.
 
“Our sincere condolences to Dean’s wife Caron and their two boys, Darcy and Mitchell”.

Bailey's VFL/AFL career began at Essendon in 1986 after he was recruited from North Ringwood in the club’s zone.

He played 53 league games until 1992, and then spent three years with SANFL club Glenelg, where he won the best-and-fairest trophy in 1995.

After three years coaching Queensland club Mt Gravatt, Bailey returned to Essendon as a development coach.

In 2002 he joined Port Adelaide, working under coach Mark Williams as an assistant in the 2004 premiership.

Melbourne appointed Bailey as its senior coach for the 2008 season and he coached the Demons in 85 games.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney was coached by Bailey when at the Power and later worked with him at Melbourne.

"Dean's contribution to the game over his life was significant as a player and coach,” Mahoney said.
 
“I know I will always remember him as a close mentor and friend, as will all the staff and players who knew him at Melbourne.
 
“His love for the game of AFL was infectious on everyone who came in contact with him. It took him across the country, chasing his dream of coaching and developing people and players

Bailey joined Adelaide in September 2011 as strategy and innovation coach.