Melbourne will conduct a full review of its football department as make-or-break season looms for coach Simon Goodwin
Melbourne will conduct a review of all off-field positions after failing to make the finals for the 13th time in 14th years. And the blowtorch is honing in on long-time football manager Josh Mahoney.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The future of Melbourne’s long-term football boss Josh Mahoney hangs in the balance after another unfulfilled season by the Demons.
The club’s board remains frustrated at the lack of progress, after the Dees failed to reach the finals for the 13th time in 14 years.
A review is underway, which has put Mahoney under the microscope. Coaches and fitness staff will also be reviewed.
Chief executive Gary Pert will be central to the staffing outcomes.
Scroll down for a review of every player on Melbourne’s list
Mahoney, 42, retired from Port Adelaide as a premiership player in 2007, and has spent the past 13 years since at the Demons.
Mahoney served as the forwards coach from 2008-11 and then moved into administration when Mark Neeld was appointed senior coach.
In 2013, and with new senior coach Paul Roos and chief executive Peter Jackson on board, Mahoney was promoted to run the football department, a position he still holds.
Watch the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Kayo with every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Mahoney was safe on Monday, but there was a feeling from some at the Demons that he could struggle to hold on.
The Demons are kicking goals in most areas except for on-field. Mahoney was seen by some as a future chief executive, but his future could suddenly lie elsewhere.
The football department was bolstered by director of coaching Alan Richardson and high-priced fitness guru Darren Burgess under Mahoney this season, with Richardson signed on a long-term deal.
Coach Simon Goodwin declared the 9-8 year had been a big step forward after the club regressed to 17th last year and, in Goodwin’s words, overachieved by reaching the 2018 preliminary final.
But the Dees still failed to play finals and success-starved fans have not witnessed a premiership since 1964.
DEES COACHES UNDER REVIEW
Melbourne has launched a review of its football department to ensure coach Simon Goodwin has the best possible support setup for the club‘s finals-or-bust mission next season.
The Demons are assessing all senior positions including the coaching staff and fitness department after missing finals for the second-straight year in 2020.
That includes senior assistant Alan Richardson, who picked Melbourne over the Kangaroos when he was let go from St Kilda last year, as well as stoppage coach Ben Matthews, defensive coach Troy Chaplin, forwards coach Justin Plapp, and head of development Matthew Egan.
Plapp oversaw the sometimes patchy connection in the attacking half which has hurt the Demons over the past two seasons.
Like all clubs, Melbourne will have to make significant cuts and downgrade some roles to fit under the heavily-reduced $6.2 million football department soft cap next year.
News Corp this week revealed North Melbourne had parted ways with senior assistant Jade Rawlings. Assistants Heath Scotland and Jarred Moore are also departed as part of a huge Roos’ overhaul.
Fitness staffer Daniel Cross and development coach Max Rooke were stood down and did not travel with Melbourne to its Maroochydore hub.
The review could be completed as early as the end of next week.
Football boss Josh Mahoney last year landed highly-respected head of fitness Darren Burgess who has been lauded by the players for their sharp fitness improvements this year, in particular best and fairest-winner and All-Australian midfielder Christian Petracca.
The Demons will be under immense pressure to return to the eight next season and are desperate to weed the inconsistency out of its on-field performance.
Melbourne does not have a first-round pick after trading it to the Kangaroos last year to ensure it was able to land livewire goal kicker Kysaiah Pickett.
Kangaroos‘ star goal kicker Ben Brown, out-of-favour wingman Jared Polec and Hawthorn premiership hero Isaac Smith are all on their trade radar.
The Demons have an extra second-round pick from Hawthorn after landing it in last year‘s Sam Frost deal.
The Demons lauded their summer campaign but blew their chance to make the eight this year with dismal losses to Sydney Swans and Fremantle in Cairns.
Importantly, Melbourne snuck home in its last two games of the season against Greater Western Sydney and Essendon to ensure Goodwin notched a winning record for the season with nine wins and eight losses.
But the board led by president Glen Bartlett will demand the club make finals next year after failing to back up its breakthrough preliminary finals appearance in 2018.
Goodwin, who is highly-rated by the players, is contracted to the club until the end of 2022.
RELATED
AFL Finals: Leigh Matthews joins calls to ditch bounce after Chris Scott umpire outburst
LIST ANALYSIS - EVERY MELBOURNE PLAYER RATED
- Simeon Thomas-Wilson
Melbourne is hopeful of retaining vice-captain Jack Viney despite the star midfielder yet to sign a new deal and Geelong circling.
Viney has said he “absolutely” wants to stay at the Demons and coach Simon Goodwin is hopeful he remains at Melbourne but rival clubs believe the father-son is a potential chance of leaving as a restricted free agent.
Due to a variety of circumstances, including the COVID delay and his wife Charlotte giving birth to their first baby, the contract talks have been delayed.
But with the season having now finished, Viney is set to give the tick-off for contract negotiations to go into overdrive with the Demons.
Outside of getting Viney to stay, the club has a busy off-season in store.
Former captain Nathan Jones looks set to retire after 294 games for the Demons.
Harley Bennell’s COVID-19 breach on the weekend may have cost him a new deal at Melbourne, Tom McDonald is out of favour and may be the answer to other club’s key forward problems.
A call may be made on former Gold Coast Sun Kade Kolodjashnij, who has struggled with ongoing concussion issues, while there are a stack of players who are waiting to see what list sizes will be in 2021 and what that means for their futures as a Demon.
Simeon Thomas-Wilson looks at where every single player on the 2020 list is at and what their future holds.
1. Steven May
Age: 28 Games: 148
Status: Signed to 2023
Is showing just why the Demons got him from the Gold Coast after a tough first year at Melbourne. Has been sensational with his intercept marking and played a huge role in the Demons’ wins over St Kilda and GWS. Incredibly unlucky not to make the All-Australian squad.
2. Nathan Jones
Age: 32 Games: 294
Status: Out of contract
A modern-day great for the Demons, the three time Bluey Truscott Medallist and former captain looks set to retire at season’s end. Is out with a re-occurrence of his quad complaint and cruelly looks set to fall just short of 300 games.
3. Christian Salem
Age: 25 Games: 106
Status: Signed to 2021
Notched up his 100th game for the Demons this season, Salem has further shown his importance to Melbourne. One of the Demons’ better kicks, when Salem plays well Melbourne generally do also, and he will be vital if Goodwin’s side can break back into finals.
4. James Harmes
Age: 24 Games: 104
Status: Signed to 2024
One of the Dees top ballwinners in the past two seasons, Harmes has had an interesting 2020.
Playing more in defence in the hope his running power could sharpen the Demons’ counterattacking transition game, he was dropped ahead of Round 14 and has had hamstring issues. But signed a big five-year contract extension last year, so he’s set to be at the Demons for a while.
5. Christian Petracca
Age: 24 Games: 102
Status: Signed to 2022
Emerged as a star of the competition in 2020 after a pre-season. Now one of the most damaging players around, Petracca will be in line for a big deal when his manager and the club start discussing how to lock him away at the Demons for a long time. Rewarded with a spot in the All-Australian squad.
6. Luke Jackson
Age: 18 Games: 6
Status: Signed to 2021
Taken at pick No. 3 three in the draft the West Australian played six games this season before going down with a hamstring injury. Got a Rising Star nomination in Round 10, the first for a Melbourne player in four years, and it will be interesting to see how much ruck he plays in his second season in the AFL.
7. Jack Viney
Age: 26 Games: 135
Status: Out of contract
Probably the most interesting player to watch out of the Demons list. Has said he “absolutely” wants to remain at the club but the former co-captain and father-son is yet to sign a new deal – and Geelong is circling. Would be a huge blow for Melbourne if he departed, both on and off the field.
“I think it comes with the territory of being a free agent … but Jack is a passionate Melbourne man, we love Jack and he loves the footy club,” Goodwin said on September 11.
8. Jake Lever
Age: 24 Games: 92
Status: Signed to 2022
Came across to Melbourne from Adelaide on a five-year deal worth more than $700,000 a year, and has had a mixed time so far but there have been some signs in 2020. Better as the third defender, but contracted until 2022 so the Demons will be hoping for more improvement.
9. Charlie Spargo
Age: 20 Games: 34
Status: Out of contract
Demons and his manager are working on a new deal so expect that to be announced soon.
Has played most of the games in the back-end of the season.
10. Angus Brayshaw
Age: 24 Games: 94
Status: Signed to 2022
If the Demons are to return to finals then Simon Goodwin needs to get Brayshaw back to his damaging best.
Has been out of a wing at times and questions over his time on ground irked Goodwin, but Brayshaw remains one of the few Demons with game-breaking quality.
Does get linked with a move to WA with brothers Andrew and Hamish playing at Fremantle and West Coast respectively.
11. Max Gawn
Age: 28 Games: 134
Status: Signed to 2021
Appointed captain this year Gawn continues to be one of the game’s premier ruckmen.
At 28, it will be interesting to see what kind of deal he seeks and what one Melbourne will prepared to give him before his contract expires next year.
12. Toby Bedford
Age: 20 Games: 2
Status: Out of contract
The pacy small forward might get a new deal after debuting this year.
Next couple of weeks will decide his future.
13. Clayton Oliver
Age: 23 Games: 99
Status: Signed to 2021
Already has two Bluey Truscott Medals and an All-Australian by age 23, surely the Demons offer the hard-nut midfielder a big contract next year as they look to keep him at Melbourne.
Has become a lot better with his accuracy by foot in 2020 and will continue to be a key player for Melbourne.
14. Michael Hibberd
Age: 30 Games: 156
Status: Out of contract
Turns 31 in January and out of contract but will go around again in 2021.
Has played some good footy in 2020 and has some more years left in him after returning to the Demons line-up for the final game of the season.
15. Ed Langdon
Age: 24 Games: 85
Status: 2024
Has provided the Demons with some much-needed outside run since coming to the club from Fremantle last trade period.
Was outstanding against GWS and Dees fans will be hoping for more of this.
16. Kade Kolodjashnij
Age: 25 Games: 80
Status: Signed to 2021
Contracted for 2021 but hasn’t played since 2019 as he suffers with ongoing issues from concussion.
Up in the air as to what his future is.
“We are in conversation with the Melbourne Footy Club as to what are the potential outcomes (for Kade) going forward,” manager Anthony McConville said.
17. Harley Bennell
Age: 27 Games: 88
Status: Out of contract
The Demons have a big call to make on the talented, but injury prone Bennell.
Out of contract at season’s end we all know Bennell has the talent but again questions of his commitment and mindset have popped up after he left the club’s high performance centre without permission on the weekend, receiving a four game ban.
Bennell was almost certain to receive a one-year contract but that has now been thrown into real jeopardy with the Demons set to consider his future as they also concentrate on his welfare in coming weeks
18. Jake Melksham
Age: 29 Games: 185
Status: Signed to 2022
Has been a solid contributor since coming to the Dees from Essendon from 2016.
Down on goals for the last two seasons after being reinvented as a defensive forward in 2017.
Just turned 29 so when current deal is done Dees will have a call to make.
19. Mitch Hannan
Age: 26 Games: 50
Status: Out of contract
One of the big improvers of the 2020 season statistically Hannan should be at the Demons next season.
Hasn’t played since Round 14 but still just 26.
20. Adam Tomlinson
Age: 27 Games: 153
Status: Signed to 2024
Came to the Dees from GWS, and has played 12 games so far in his first season in red and blue.
Lost his spot after Round 5 and returned five games later playing mainly as a key defender and did impress in that new role. Has returned to a wing position at times and will be interesting to see what position he plays in the future.
21. Braydon Preuss
Age: 25 Games: 18
Status: Signed to 2022
Raised a few eyebrows when he decided to leave Todd Goldstein’s shadow at North Melbourne and enter Gawn’s at the Dees.
Has played just the 10 games since coming to Melbourne, three this season, and there are teams that are crying out for a ruckman.
22. Aaron vandenBerg
Age 28 Games: 47
Status: Signed to 2021
After playing just seven games in three seasons has played 11 games in 2020, as he finally got on top of a re-occurring foot injury.
Much-loved at Melbourne, he is contracted for another season.
23. James Jordon
Age: 19 Games: none
Status: Out of contract
Hasn’t played an AFL game but should get another deal.
24. Trent Rivers
Age: 19 Games: 9
Status: Signed to 2021
Has impressed in his first season at AFL level, none more so than with his two crucial goals to defeat the Giants.
Melbourne will be very pleased with how he has gone in 2020 and get ready for him to be a key part of the Demons backline.
25. Tom McDonald
Age: 28 Games: 170
Status: Signed to 2022
Hasn’t played since Round 13, despite the Demons inconsistent form McDonald’s status could be one to watch during the trade period with North Melbourne said to be interested.
The defender-turned-forward looks to be behind in the pecking order to others in both ends of the ground, but there are clubs looking for a key forward despite McDonald having two more years on his contract.
26. Sam Weideman
Age: 23 Games: 44
Status: Signed to 2021
Strangely wasn’t in the Demons side earlier on in the season when they were struggling, Weideman’s inclusion in the side coincided with the Demons getting themselves into a position when finals was an option.
When out of the side clubs were wondering whether the key forward would be available a year ahead of his deal expiring but he now should lead the line for the Demons.
27. Aaron Nietschke
Age: 20 Games: none
Status: Signed to 2021
Had a luckless time at Melbourne, tearing his ACL twice.
After the second the Demons promised him another chance in 2021 in a show of good faith, and the club is saying this is still the case despite the uncertainty around list sizes. Could be delisted and then picked up as a rookie.
“The club confirmed that they would keep him on a list in 2021,” manager Greg Size said.
28. Oscar McDonald
Age 24 Games: 81
Status: Out of contract
Played seven games this year the 24-year-old is potentially a better chance than older brother Tom of being at Melbourne next year despite being out of contract and Tom still having two years on his deal.
29. Jayden Hunt
Age: 25 Games: 74
Status: Out of contract
Back in the side in recent games but Hunt has struggled to get a run in the team this year, a far cry from his 22-game 2017 season where he showed electric pace off half back as a line-breaking defender. Moved into the forward line this year and finished the season with six goals from three games, including four against the Bombers. May get another deal at the Demons but don’t be surprised if he is at another club in 2021.
30. Alex Neal-Bullen
Age: 24 Games: 80 S
tatus: Signed to 2021
Received a four-match ban when he knocked out Adelaide’s Will Hamill in a tackle in his first game since Round 2.
But has played every game since returning and still has a year on his deal.
31. Bayley Fritsch
Age: 23 Games: 61
Status: Out of contract
Was dropped for turning up late for a team meeting but the Dees leading goal kicker in 2020 and has only missed the two games this year.
Should get a new deal.
32. Tom Sparrow
Age: 20 Games: 7
Status: Out of contract
Strung some games together but then broke his collarbone in Round 13.
An exciting prospect he should get a new deal.
33. Oskar Baker
Age: 22 Games: 12
Status: Signed to 2021
Has played in the Demons last two games. Will be looking to push on in 2021 after nine games in 2019 and just three this year.
34. Marty Hore
Age: 24 Games: 14
Status: Out of contract
Had to have surgery on his quad earlier this season, meaning the exciting intercept defender hasn’t played a game in 2020.
Played 14 last year and will be one where list sizes may define his future.
35. Harrison Petty
Age: 20 Games: 11
Status: Out of contract
A groin issue has curtailed his 2020 after he played 10 games last year.
Will be in that category where the final list size will be key.
36. Kysaiah Pickett
Age: 19 Games: 14
Status: Signed to 2021
Has shown why the Demons gave up a fair bit in the way of draft picks in 2020 to secure him at last year’s draft.
In his first year has already looked the small forward the Demons have been crying out for.
37. Kade Chandler
Age: 20 Games: 1
Status: Out of contract
The rookie played one game last year but has been unsighted in 2020.
Will be a player sweating on his future.
38. Mitch Brown
Age: 30 Games: 75
Status: Out of contract
Delisted by Essendon and Geelong, Brown is in limbo at Melbourne with his management unsure of where he sits going into 2021. On paper he should add something to a Demons attack that can seriously struggle but hasn’t had the impact he would like so far.
39. Neville Jetta
Age: 30 Games: 154
Status: Signed to 2021
Spent a significant time out of the side before returning for the Giants clash and then was dropped for the final game of the season. Has taken on a mentoring role with some of the club’s youngsters.
40. Corey Wagner
Age: 23 Games: 19
Status: Delisted
Didn’t play this year after starting his career at North Melbourne, and joins brother Josh in being delisted.
41. Jay Lockhart
Age: 24 Games: 22
Status: Out of contract
Hasn’t appeared since Round 13 but should be a good shout of getting a new deal.
Has had a remarkable rise from unpacking shipping containers in Trugania at 5am every morning to playing 22 games for the Demons are being picked up hours before the pre-season supplementary selection period ended.
MORE AFL LIST ANAYSIS
Every Carlton player rated: The young guns facing make or break 2021
42. Josh Wagner
Age: 26 Games: 42
Status: Delisted
Unlike his brother has actually played this year, notching two games, but has joined his brother in being delisted.
44. Joel Smith
Age: 24 Games: 18
Status: Out of contract
The son of former high-flyer Shaun earned a recall late on in the season for the Demons, after some games earlier this year.
Set to get another deal.
46. Austin Bradtke
Age: 20 Games: none
Status: Out of contract
A category b rookie who hasn’t played a game, on paper it doesn’t look good for the former basketballer. At 204cm his potential might save him.
48. Kyle Dunkley
Age: 20 Games: 5
Status: Delisted
Didn’t play a game this year and the brother of Western Bulldogs star Josh has been delisted as a result.
Originally published as Melbourne will conduct a full review of its football department as make-or-break season looms for coach Simon Goodwin
Follow live: Fears North being ‘used’ as trade pawn
North Melbourne is the third club in the race for Dan Houston alongside Collingwood and Carlton. But one AFL great fears the Roos could be being “used”. FOLLOW DAY 2 LIVE
‘Blowhard’: Cornes backlash turns prickly
Kane Cornes has been roasted by a high profile colleague over comments that have left NRL commentators in disbelief.