"He used to come down and see how I was going," coordinator Lorraine Beaman said.

"He went out of his way to talk to us. He made sure he came every week and sat with us."

"We are all feeling it this morning. He was a fighter."

Mrs Beaman, who has been involved in the cheer squad for about 20 years, said she knew Stynes well.

"I am very sad. I've already had one lady phone me to say she can't believe it."

She said the cheer squad had not yet made plans to commemorate Stynes' life and members were waiting to hear from the AFL.

Melbourne Football Club told its Twitter followers this morning that Stynes' family asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to The Jim Stynes Future Fund or Peter Mac.

The Melbourne Football Club's Leadership Group will meet on the grounds of the MCG at 12.45pm today.

Friends and colleagues from the Reach Foundation, which was set up by Stynes and actor Peter Currie, will pay their respects to the former Melbourne footballer this afternoon.

Details of a funeral have not yet been announced but deputy premier Peter Ryan said this morning that a state funeral would be considered.