The Melbourne Football Club today announced that senior coach Dean Bailey has signed a new two year agreement for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, effectively extending his tenure by one year.

Club President Jim Stynes said, “This announcement is a show of faith and confidence in Dean as senior coach. We have belief in the direction he is taking the group, and a strong understanding of what he brings to the Club.

“In just over two years, Dean has laid the foundations for what we think will be a prolonged period of achievement.

“Solidarity and stability is important with a young group of players, and this decision will give them confidence moving forward.

“We made this decision in our own time. The process started at the end of last season, during the football department review. The decision to extend Dean’s contract was ratified by the Board of Directors, at last Friday’s board meeting.

“We see Dean as being a big part of the long term future of the Melbourne Football Club. This now gives him appropriate time to drive his vision and expectations for the playing group.”

Senior coach Dean Bailey said, “It’s great that the Club has shown faith in me as a Coach. I’m looking forward working with this group as they develop as both players and people.

“The last two seasons have been years of great change, and it has been well documented that we have rebuilt through the draft, but now it’s a matter of putting game time into these young players as a group.

“This year, I expect our playing group to have a competitive attitude right from the start of games. Last year, we won 32 quarters of football and this has to change. We need to be in games right from the opening minute in order for us to win more matches for our members and supporters.”