Melbourne coach Mark Neeld will coach against Collingwood

BREAKING: MARK Neeld will coach Melbourne against Collingwood on Monday.

MARK Neeld will coach Melbourne against Collingwood on Monday.

After a marathon board meeting today, including a presentation from senior coach Mark Neeld that lasted almost two hours, the Demons board decided against sacking the second-year coach.

President Don McLardy issued a brief statement saying the club would be making "no further comment at this time" in relation to the senior coaching position.

But he said all members of the football department faces "ongoing assessment".

McLardy announced that interim chief executive Peter Jackson had agreed to stay in the role until the end of next season.

Jackson was initially appointed for six months and today outlined his vision for an overhaul of the football department.

"Today, as with all board meetings, there was a presentation from the football department from Mark Neeld, Neil Craig, Todd Viney and Josh Mahoney," McLardy said.

"Our on-field performances have not met expectations this year and everyone in the football department continues to face ongoing assessment in their roles as do those employed in other areas of the club. The club will make no further comment at this time, in relation to the senior coach position."

Neeld last night remained adamant his position is safe, despite yesterday's crushing loss to Hawthorn.

The embattled coach didn't speak to reporters as he arrived at the MCG this morning, flanked by assistants Neil Craig and Todd Viney and football manager Josh Mahoney.

A short time ago he left the MCG, driving past waiting media without stopping. He has now returned to Melbourne's training base at AAMI Park.

The board meeting that started at noon was scheduled to discuss Neeld's fate before the embattled coach and Craig plead their case at 2pm.

Arriving for the meeting this morning, president Don McLardy refused to speculate on the coach's fate.

The Demons were taken apart by Hawthorn in a 95-point loss, their fourth defeat of more than 15 goals and their seventh of at least 60 points this year.

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President Don McLardy yesterday said that changes would soon be revealed under Peter Jackson's club-wide review, Neeld would clearly be blindsided to be sacked.

Mark Neeld

It comes despite another poor crowd of only 28,546 against a powerful Victorian club, and with board members now believing it is time for a change at the top.

Neeld challenged the Demons hierarchy to give him more time, saying he was only executing a plan that included overhauling the list and changing training standards, improving leadership and developing a young team.

Asked whether he would urge the board to stay the course when he met them today, said: "If I'm asked the question, absolutely. It's pretty clear. We've got a really clear vision on where we're going, we've got a really clear pathway that we're following and we haven't hidden that from anybody."

Chris Dawes

Asked about speculation he would be removed, he said he had been reassured of his position.

Neeld said he would never have recruited key forward Jesse Hogan - who cannot be played until next year - or No.4 pick Jimmy Toumpas after two hip surgeries last year if he believed he did not have time to develop.

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He said the Demons had set a season-high mark for one-percenters and had hit 300 disposals, but had been cut up by an elite side.

Recruit Chris Dawes, excellent with 12 marks, pleaded for Neeld to be given more time to implement his plans.

"One of the biggest reasons the pressure has been building externally is because the players haven't been up to standard," Dawes said. "That is the nature of footy. The media and supporters are instantly going to start asking questions of the head coach.

"Anybody with a football brain can see it's a mess the players have got us into."

The Demons are hemorrhaging financially, have key players who may leave if Neeld continues, and seem to be years from competitiveness.

McLardy, who was in the rooms with board members and Jackson post-match, said in his pre-match president's address changes would soon be made.

"Our club is on a hard road at the moment. That's clear to everybody," McLardy said.

"I can assure you we are working very closely with CEO Peter Jackson to effect a turnaround as soon as possible. You can expect to hear the first steps in that process over the next couple of weeks."

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The Demons are set to be without James Frawley next week for the Queen's Birthday clash after he injured his hamstring in the final minutes after an excellent display against Lance Franklin.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was happy where the club was placed going in to the second half of the season.

The Hawks go in to the bye with a 9-1 record.

Hawthorn was 6-4 at the same stage last year and this year's effort has come on the back of wins against six of last season's finalists.

"We've had a really tough start to the year and done a fair amount of travelling, so we're really pleased to be 9-1 and get a break," Clarkson said.

with Matt Windley