David Schwarz wants ‘top to bottom’ review at Melbourne as stars continue to be linked with moves

Stars linked with moves. Claims of infighting and festering culture problems. One Demons great says he’s had enough and wants the club to launch a “top to bottom” review.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 27: Max Gawn of the Demons reacts on the final siren during the round 20 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Melbourne great David Schwarz has called for a full-scale review of the Demons “from the top down” in the wake of bombshell revelations Christian Petracca was weighing up his future at the club.

Schwarz, who played 173 games, said the club’s lack of finals success since the 2021 premiership combined with the trade speculation surrounding superstar midfielders Petracca, Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver was a massive concern.

And with finals out of reach fans have turned off in recent weeks, with only 16,246 and 17,867 people attending their last two Saturday night losses to interstate teams at the MCG.

Schwarz said Melbourne’s on-field results have been “bewildering” in recent years and was dismayed by the suggestion Petracca was disgruntled after playing on with life-threatening internal injuries in Round 14.

The 1999 best-and-fairest winner said the handling of Petracca’s injuries in his last match of the season against Collingwood, including a ruptured spleen, lacerated lung and four broken ribs, was a “debacle”.

“When your best player wants out, alarm bells should be going off,” Schwarz said.

“And it just highlights what the supporters have been saying because for all the talent at their disposal there has been error after error.

“It has been a pretty steep (decline) because we have had straight sets finals exits and now we are going to miss (finals) this year, and considering the cattle we have got — my God.

“But the culture off the field is the most important thing.

“And if your culture is not right and blokes are pulling in different directions it has got to be fixed straight away, otherwise it is going to fester. Clearly it is festering.

“There is infighting and it is not a happy place at the moment, clearly, because they (Petracca and Viney) are more than the fabric, they are the heartbeat of the club.”

North Melbourne has made a strong play for Viney, whose father, Todd, works at the Kangaroos as a highly-respected football manager.

The Dees are facing pressure after dropping out of the finals race. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Kangaroos are believed to be preparing a lucrative offer and major leadership and onball roles in a bid to land Viney.

The Demons remain confident of signing Viney to a contract extension and on Tuesday shut down any prospect of trading Petracca.

In any case, a trade deal for Petracca, 28, appears to be near impossible as the Demons would ask for a massive bounty in return for the man who remains contracted for five more years on more than $1 million a season.

Oliver, who endured personal problems in the off-season and took time away from the club, has struggled with a hand issue this year and polled 10 AFL Coaches’ Association votes, ranked 10th at the Dees this year.

North Melbourne is interested in luring Jack Viney to Arden St.

While Melbourne on Tuesday confirmed it was assessing the football department in the wake of a disappointing 2024 season, Schwarz said the whole club should be put under the microscope.

“There should be a full review from the top down,” Schwarz said.

“When you are winning flags everyone is front and centre, but when you need people to stand up and show leadership it is just not there.

“I know (CEO) Gary Pert put out a letter, but it was pretty wishy washy and said nothing.

“The whole Christian Petracca debacle going back on (the field while injured) there is just clearly something not right there.”

The Demons have sunk to 13th spot on the ladder with 10 wins from 21 games this year, but have lost Angus Brayshaw to concussion, and traded out Brodie Grundy after one season at the club last year.

Simon Goodwin’s men travel to Gold Coast to take on the Suns on Saturday followed by a Round 24 clash against Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG to finish the season.

Originally published as David Schwarz wants ‘top to bottom’ review at Melbourne as stars continue to be linked with moves