MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says Brad Miller's decision to see out the season with VFL affiliate Casey rather than have a farewell AFL game speaks volumes of his character.

The Demons told Miller last week that he would be delisted at season's end and offered him the chance to play against North Melbourne at the MCG this Sunday.

However, Miller will instead run out for Casey's VFL final against North Ballarat.

"He's always been a team-first, club-first player. His involvement at Casey has been very thick for the whole year," Bailey said on Friday morning. "I take my hat off to him. I don't think too many would look at it in that light.

"Inside the football club he is incredibly respected. He's got great love for the club and he works as hard as anyone. His leadership since I've been at the footy club has been fantastic.

"Unfortunately for us he felt that his responsibility to Casey has been for the year and they are playing finals."

Bailey said Miller would have plenty to offer another club if he wanted to continue his AFL career next year.

"If a club was interested in Brad I'm sure he could provide some great experience to them. That's up to Brad at the moment," he said.

One player who will be making his final appearance is captain James McDonald, who announced his retirement ahead of his 250th game last week.

Bailey said McDonald provided valuable leadership for the Demons through some dark times.

"Junior's been outstanding. He's been here a long time. The last few years he's been phenomenal. The playing group have been well-prepared for years to come because of what James has provided in the last two years as captain," he said.

"He'll be missed next year but he has certainly provided a platform for a lot of our young players and our players who have been around for five, six, seven years as well, to take the reins of the football club. We hope we can send him out on a note that he deserves."

More players are likely to follow McDonald, Miller and Daniel Bell, but Bailey said the clash with the Roos was not a last-ditch audition for anyone who might be on the borderline of holding their place.

"I don't think the last game determines whether a player is on the list or not. It's taken over more than just one game, it has taken over this whole year as well as the last couple of years," he said.

"We've got to make some tough decisions over the next month."