3 days ago
Essendon champion joins Dees' coach search; Winmar continues bid to co-lead racism class action
In today's AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
Melbourne will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September.
Former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar is continuing his push to be a co-lead plaintiff in a racism class action against the AFL.
Two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, Hawthorn's Luke Breust, has announced this season will be his last.
Former Essendon captain Jobe Watson will be on the panel charged with finding premiership coach Simon Goodwin's replacement at Melbourne.
Joining the Bombers great on the Demons' appointment panel are president Brad Green, director and incoming president Steve Smith, chief executive-elect Paul Guerra, football boss Alan Richardson, Melbourne Storm's football director Frank Ponissi, and human resources executive Meahan Callaghan.
Ponissi, who has worked at the Storm for 18 years alongside revered premiership coach Craig Bellamy, also helped Richmond select ex-Melbourne player Adem Yze as Damien Hardwick's successor.
The Demons will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September.
Collingwood champion and former coach Nathan Buckley is viewed as the early frontrunner to be the Demons' next coach after John Longmire, Adam Simpson, Ken Hinkley and James Hird ruled themselves out.
Asked during his weekly Triple M breakfast appearance on Thursday about the prospect of playing under Buckley, Melbourne skipper Max Gawn downplayed the possibility, given the club, at that stage, had not 'even got a [selection] committee yet'.
'I just don't know how any of these guys coach,' Gawn said.
'From the outside, 'Bucks' took his team to a granny and lost by a Dom Sheed kick. John Longmire took his team to five [grand finals], so they're good coaches … I think, but I can't really answer.'
