Demons' search for a new coach will likely include another search for successor

MELBOURNE'S search for a new coach will likely include another search for a young understudy to be groomed as a successor.

MELBOURNE'S search for its next coach is likely to include the search for his successor.

As part of an overhaul of their coaching structure, the Demons are considering a succession plans in the search for a replacement for Mark Neeld.

They will appoint a coach with senior experience, but are also wanting to talk to current assistants and ex-players working in the media with a view they could be the next coach.

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Names such as Hawthorn's Adam Simpson, Sydney's Leigh Tudor and West Coast's Scott Burns will be targets, as will former Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling, who is at the top of several clubs' shopping lists. Carlton was desperate to include Ling on its coaching panel last year, but he declined.

Former Swans champion Michael O'Loughlin, who is coach of the Flying Boomerangs indigenous youth side, could also draw interest from Melbourne.

The succession plan would be based around a senior coach appointment for two or three seasons, with the younger coach then taking over.

The Demons would not discuss the coaching formation, but it's understood they are in favour of a Paul Roos-John Longmire set-up, or even the Mick Malthouse-Nathan Buckley succession plan, despite its controversies.

Scott Burns

Demons chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed on Monday that Roos remained a candidate. Rodney Eade, Mark Williams and Dean Laidley, all former senior coaches, have also been linked to the position.

The Demons are keen to bolster their development coaching ranks, which would include part-time specialists similar to the role Dermott Brereton plays at Greater Western Sydney and Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney undertake at the Bulldogs.

Melbourne, meanwhile, has released the findings of its board review, which acknowledged the board had lost the AFL's confidence and made it plain the league would play a key role in selecting future members.

It names AFL executive Andrew Dillon on a three-man panel that will select members. Joining him on the nominations sub-committee are current board members John Trotter, the Deloitte managing partner who conducted the board review, and advertising guru turned Channel 10 executive Russel Howcroft.

"The AFL has made it clear that, as part of the support package conditions, they will play a role in determining the composition of the board," the report said. "The appointment of a new president who has the support of the AFL is seen as a critical step."

New board member Glen Bartlett, the former West Coast player who now works in Melbourne as a lawyer, is considered a frontrunner for the presidency.

But in a warning for would-be presidents such as former Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale - who launched his Melbourne Matters presidency bid in yesterday's Herald Sun - the report discourages outside candidates.

It says the club must "minimise the risk of disruption to the MFC and the support of the AFL that may be caused through external parties challenging the nomination process".

Demons coach

The board said it had already begun implementing the recommendations, but said it was critical to continue making changes in order to "satisfy the conditions of the AFL; regain the confidence of members and stakeholders and provide a stable environment that is essential in attracting key football personnel and retaining players".

The review formalises the role of interim chief Jackson, who has agreed to stay on until the end of next year.

It says his priorities include reviewing the football department "with the objective of improving on-field competitiveness".