FORMER Melbourne player Michael Young has passed away, aged 59 years old.

He would’ve have been 60 in December.

Young played 15 games with the Demons from 1981-82, after playing in the 1979 premiership with Carlton.

He came to Melbourne having played 37 matches with Carlton from 1977-80.

Young made his debut wearing the No.5 guernsey for the Demons in round one, 1981 – the same game as Ron Barassi’s first year back at the club as coach.

He played with the likes of club best and fairest winners Robert Flower, Gerard Healy, Laurie Fowler, Steven Smith and Garry Baker in his first game with the Dees.

Young played 12 games with Melbourne in 1981 another three the following year.

He spent the 1983 season in the reserves, before trailing with Essendon for the 1984 season, although he didn’t play a senior game.