PLAYER manager Alastair Lynch says Melbourne fans should be "optimistic" about seeing Tom Scully in a Demons jumper in 2012.

The promising young midfielder - who was the No.1 pick in the 2009 NAB AFL draft - has been the subject of widespread speculation that he will be leaving Melbourne to play with fledgling club Greater Western Sydney next year.

Recently former Melbourne player, 1999 best and fairest winner, and media commentator David Schwarz said he was almost 100 per cent certain Scully had already signed a contract with the Giants.

However Lynch (Scully's manager) told Fox Sports On the Couch on Monday night that Melbourne fans should be hopeful that the 20-year-old will sign a new deal with their club at the end of the season.

When respected football commentator Mike Sheahan asked Lynch about Scully and if the Demons should be optimistic about retaining his signature, he replied: "You should be optimistic, yeah."

Scully has put off contract talks with Melbourne until the end of the season, adding fuel to the speculation, but Lynch said this was common practice and not unusual.