REVEALED: MELBOURNE Football Club president Jim Stynes is fighting a health problem that threatens his future with the club.
Stynes, 43, is believed to have told board members, senior staff and friends tonight that he may have to stand down. A media conference is expected this morning.
The 1991 Brownlow medallist and former ruck great is understood to face surgery later this week.
He was unavailable for comment tonight.
The Irishman, who came to Australia in the mid-1980s and played 264 games with the Demons, is married with young children.
Stynes is in his second season as president after replacing Paul Gardner mid-season last year.
He represents one of the most inspiring stories in the game, playing a record 244 games in a row from 1987-98. He has been described as "Australia's most successful sporting experiment''.
Stynes was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2003 and Melbourne's Hall of Fame in 2006.
He was named Victorian of the Year in 2001 and 2003 for his work with the Reach Foundation, a group committed to helping youth.
Since taking over the presidency he has preached persistence and optimism, with the promise of ultimate success for players and fans.
Earlier this year, he sat with the cheer squad behind the goals at the MCG during a Melbourne game.
hey mate his not going to get well he has cancer
hey mate his not going to get well he has cancer
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