The Adelaide Football Club wishes to advise that Strategy and Innovation Coach, Dean Bailey, is unwell and will be away from the Club for an indefinite period of time.

Following a recent acute illness, Dean was admitted to hospital where he was found to have fluid in his left lung. This has been treated but, unfortunately, the underlying cause is cancer within the chest. Dean is undergoing extensive tests to determine the exact type of cancer, but this has yet to be determined. He will shortly start appropriate therapy to treat the cancer and is expected to require some time away from work.

Dean has a typically positive outlook and hopes to be returning to work as soon as possible. That said, respect for his privacy would be very much appreciated by his family.

The Club will cover his absence internally until we get a clearer picture about the length of his absence and treatment.

In the meantime, our collective thoughts and best wishes are with Dean, Caron, Darcy and Mitchell.