Top jobs at Melbourne up in the air

ALL Melbourne football positions, including that of coach Mark Neeld, will be on the agenda when the board meets at noon on Monday.

ALL Melbourne football positions, including that of coach Mark Neeld, will be on the agenda when the board meets at noon on Monday.

Stand-in chief executive Peter Jackson will present his recommendations for a complete restructure of the football department.

The overhaul will include the nomination of a clearly-defined football boss - the only football figure who will report directly to the chief executive.

Positions under review include that of football manager Josh Mahoney, director of sports performance Neil Craig, list manager Tim Harrington and player development and strategy manager Todd Viney.

All four reported to sacked chief executive Cameron Schwab - a structure identified by Jackson as a major weakness.

Craig and Neeld will make presentations at Monday's meeting.

Melbourne plays ladder-leader Hawthorn at the MCG tomorrow.

Another heavy defeat could result in Neeld's tenure being terminated.

Newly-appointed board member Geoff Freeman has emerged as a key player in the remaking of the club.

Freeman, 65, an insurance industry heavyweight, joined the board last month after encouragement from president Don McLardy.

Freeman is a neighbour of AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and a close friend of former Geelong president Frank Costa, who helped transform the Cats.

Despite a recent health scare, he could replace McLardy as president before the end of the season.

When quizzed about his future on Thursday, Neeld said he remained confident he had the support of the board.

"It's just a regular meeting where there's robust discussion about a whole heap of issues and progress and all that sort of stuff," Neeld said.

"So I presume it will be the same. I talk to board members on a regular basis."