Paul Roos recruits former Sydney development coach Brett Allison from North Melbourne

THE Sydney Swans' connection has grown at Melbourne with new coach Paul Roos appointing Brett Allison to the Dees' coaching team.

Brett Allison

THE Sydney Swans' connection has grown at Melbourne with new coach Paul Roos appointing Brett Allison to the Dees' coaching team.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Allison would become a line coach at the Demons after spending the past three years as forwards coach under Brad Scott at North Melbourne.

Before that, Allison spent almost a decade at Sydney, including four seasons as head of the Swans’ highly successful academy program.

The Demons also made five changes to the playing group yesterday, delisting talls James Sellar, Troy Davis and Tom Gillies, utility Josh Tynan and rookie midfielder Tom Couch.

They follow veterans Aaron Davey, David Rodan and Joel Macdonald out of Melbourne.

Allison’s appointment is another coaching coup for the Demons.

The two-time North Melbourne premiership forward is highly-rated for his ability to help groom young talent, although his new role at the Demons is yet to be specified.

Allison, who played 228 games at North Melbourne and Sydney, will help replace forwards coach Leigh Brown and midfield coach Brian Royal, who were released from Melbourne coaching positions yesterday.

Neil Craig has also cleaned out his office at AAMI Park and is on the hunt for another coaching job.

The Dees are still searching for a senior assistant coach, who will eventually take over from Roos.

But another Swans’ assistant coach, Leigh Tudor has ruled himself out of the Demons’ senior assistant race.

Tudor remains a leading candidate for the vacant Brisbane position.