AFTER a stellar AFL 264-game career from 1987-98, which included the 1991 Brownlow Medal, four Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophys (1991, 1995-96-97), the most consecutive AFL matches of all-time (244 matches from 1987-1998) and an induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2003, Stynes became Melbourne president in June 2008. The following is a timeline of his presidency at the Demons …

2008:
On June 12, Stynes takes over from Paul Gardner as Melbourne president. The Melbourne great heads up a new-look board. Stynes takes over at a time when the club is $5 million in debt. He begins rebuilding the club, gathering an experienced and enthusiastic team, from the boardroom to the football department. Stynes and the board soon end Paul McNamee’s tenure as chief executive. McNamee lasts four months in his position. He was appointed before the new board took over. Stynes quickly makes an impact as president, when he oversees the remarkably successful ‘Debt Demolition’ campaign on August 5. The function raises more than $2 million. Stynes and the Melbourne board then oversee the return of Cameron Schwab as chief executive.

2009:
On April 1, Stynes play a key part in Melbourne’s realignment with the Melbourne Cricket Club. On June 2, 2009, Stynes’ board announces a 30-year deal with the City of Casey. The deal is highlighted by a training base at Casey Fields and a community partnership with the City of Casey. However, on July 2, Stynes holds a media conference to announce that he has cancer. A lump in his back was cancerous and tests revealed it had spread to other parts of his body, including his brain. He says he will take a break to seek treatment, but that he is not stepping down from his role as Melbourne president. “I need to put all my energies into getting my body right and to heal,” Stynes says. “I'm not stepping down from Melbourne but I will be taking a break - I will have to take the rest of the season off.” AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says, “Jim is one of the most respected people in football and across the community and the best wishes of the AFL and all football supporters go out to him, his wife Sam and his family at this time.” 

2010:
On April 4, it is revealed that Stynes’ condition has worsened. Three days later, he has surgery to remove tumours from his brain. In June, the club moves into AAMI Park after more than 25 years at Junction Oval. The new MOPT facility is regarded as elite as any facility in the AFL. On August 5, Stynes oversees a major achievement by the club when it wipes out its $5 million debt via its third ‘Debt Demolition’ campaign at AAMI Park. On August 28, he is named Melburnian of the Year. After wooden spoons in 2008-09, Melbourne finishes 12th and shows positive improvement. Stynes’ board launches the new Melbourne emblem, which officially takes place on November 1 and for the 2011 season.

2011:
Melbourne endures a frustrating season. The Demons finish 13th and Dean Bailey’s tenure as coach ends after the club suffers a humiliating 186-point loss to Geelong. The pressures of football, combined with Stynes’ health issues, result in former teammate and close friend Garry Lyon helping out as Melbourne’s football director. A revamped football department results in Melbourne appointing Mark Neeld as coach. On November 2, Stynes later tells 3AW, “It looks like we have a coach now that is really serious and he is not going to relax. He is not going to sit back and let it all happen. He is going to create it - it's good.” He then becomes the first person in Australia to trial a drug which could give hope to thousands of cancer patients. The drug is called Ipilmumab, a new immune-stimulation treatment. Also on 3AW, Stynes speaks about his health situation. He says, “I wouldn't be the person I am today unless I had this experience, so I've had to wake up. I've been able to let go. We're not here to just chase the dollar, because ego just drives most people's lives. It's about letting go of that ego and seeing where then life will take you, because you've got to listen and most people are too busy to listen.” Stynes also launches his own brand of muesli, called ‘Jimbo’. On December 5, Stynes gives new recruit Mitch Clark the No.11 guernsey. Clark says it’s an “honour” to wear the number. On the same day, Stynes also reveals that he thought he was “done and dusted”, as he continues to fight cancer. “They’ve (the doctors) decided that there is something else we can do. I’m going to go in and have another brain operation and hopefully that’ll give me a bit more time,” he says at the time. On December 13, Stynes is named the Herald Sun’s Victorian of the Year.

2012:
After spending most of January holidaying with his family in South America, Stynes announces he is stepping down as Melbourne president on February 1.