COACH Dean Bailey says speculation about Tom Scully’s playing future is not a distraction.
Bailey said the fact the outstanding youngster is out of contract is not unusual.
“A lot of players are out of contract - that’s just part of the business,” he said.
“Tommy’s handled himself well and the players get on with being professional footballers and it’s just the way of the market at the moment.
“It’s not a distraction for us and it’s not a distraction for the players. Tommy’s getting on with playing and we need to get on with playing as well.”
But Bailey is confident the outstanding midfielder will remain in the red and blue long-term.
“Speculation will grow and I’ve spoken to Tom and I can only say what I know,” he said.
“Every time I’ve spoken to Tom - and I speak to him on a regular basis - I see him as a long-term Melbourne player and I think he will be. I’m convinced he will be.”
The 2009 No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick played just his second match for the season last round, collecting a team-high 29 disposals. Bailey said Scully will continue to progress after battling a knee injury in the first half of the season.
“He’s only just back playing now and he’s a professional with his attitude. It was his second game. But he’ll only get better as the weeks go on,” he said.
“There is still a lot of footy let in him for the rest of the year.”
Meanwhile, Bailey said Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Matthew Bate, Matthew Warnock and Colin Garland were in the mix to play against Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.
Bailey said the fact the outstanding youngster is out of contract is not unusual.
“A lot of players are out of contract - that’s just part of the business,” he said.
“Tommy’s handled himself well and the players get on with being professional footballers and it’s just the way of the market at the moment.
“It’s not a distraction for us and it’s not a distraction for the players. Tommy’s getting on with playing and we need to get on with playing as well.”
But Bailey is confident the outstanding midfielder will remain in the red and blue long-term.
“Speculation will grow and I’ve spoken to Tom and I can only say what I know,” he said.
“Every time I’ve spoken to Tom - and I speak to him on a regular basis - I see him as a long-term Melbourne player and I think he will be. I’m convinced he will be.”
The 2009 No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick played just his second match for the season last round, collecting a team-high 29 disposals. Bailey said Scully will continue to progress after battling a knee injury in the first half of the season.
“He’s only just back playing now and he’s a professional with his attitude. It was his second game. But he’ll only get better as the weeks go on,” he said.
“There is still a lot of footy let in him for the rest of the year.”
Meanwhile, Bailey said Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Matthew Bate, Matthew Warnock and Colin Garland were in the mix to play against Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.
