Denis Pagan sounds alarm against appointing Todd Viney as Melbourne caretaker coach

DUAL premiership coach Denis Pagan has warned Melbourne against again using Todd Viney as a caretaker coach because his son is on the club's list.

Todd Viney

DUAL premiership coach Denis Pagan has warned Melbourne against again using Todd Viney as a caretaker coach because the club legend's son Jack is now on the Demons' list.

Pagan promoted his rookie son Ryan to North Melbourne's senior list in 2000, and now believes the conflict it caused hastened his demise at the Kangaroos.

It was the source of a huge rift with match committee chairman Mark Dawson, who believed favouritism was in play.

Viney does not have senior coaching aspirations, but is the frontrunner to step into the breach again if current coach Mark Neeld is sacked as expected.

Pagan told the Herald Sun the appointment of Viney would be a disaster.

"I reckon if he does that, he is going to put enormous pressure on the club. You just can't win. It was the thing that probably got me pushed out of North Melbourne," he said.

"People were crook on it and I could justify it because of Ryan's performance, but I just don't think it is something you should do. It is just that perception that kills you. It is going to get peoples' noses out of joint."

Neeld's future could be decided as early as Monday's board meeting after Sunday's clash against Hawthorn, as first revealed in the Herald Sun.

Viney last year was appointed on a long-term contract as the general manager of player development and strategy, but the Demons have few caretaker options.

Senior assistant Neil Craig is still involved in the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into peptides at the club, while Jade Rawlings would be hard pressed to again become a caretaker after his stint at Richmond if he eventually had senior aspirations elsewhere.

"Even if (Jack Viney's) elevation is warranted, if he had 40 possessions and you bring him up, it's nepotism," Pagan said.

"It doesn't matter what you do. You can't do it. There will be people sniping behind your back. There are always petty jealousies at clubs and, when the proverbial hits the fan, you are in trouble."

Pagan and his son now run a real estate firm in Essendon. Ryan played three games for North Melbourne before a successful career in the VFL and suburban football.

Pagan was offered a new deal at North Melbourne at the end of 2002, but eventually moved to Carlton.