Former Melbourne forward David Schwarz says he is nearly certain the club's star young midfielder Tom Scully will play with Greater Western Sydney next season.

Schwarz said he believed Scully, the No.1 pick in the 2009 AFL national draft, had already committed to the expansion club.

"I think Tom Scully's gone, I think he's signed. For Melbourne it's a bitter blow," Schwarz told the Seven Network's AFL Game Day on Sunday.

He said he was "98 per cent" sure the 20-year-old was leaving.

"I've heard it from the right people and I trust the people that have told me," Schwarz said.

"The big issue now, I believe, is the compensation for Melbourne."

Schwarz said it would be a bigger blow for the Demons losing Scully than when Geelong lost their star midfielder Gary Ablett to Gold Coast at the end of last season.

He said the Cats had at least had the benefit of Ablett leading them to two flags, before becoming the Suns' inaugural captain, whereas the Demons would lose Scully before he had time to make a big impact.

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