Apply within: The 9 names likely to feature in Melbourne's search for their next head coach

Simon Goodwin, just the fourth premiership coach in the fabled history of the Melbourne Demons, has been sacked with immediate effect, after a miserable 2025 campaign. A victory over the cellar-dwelling West Coast Eagles was ultimately not enough to extend the tenure of the 2021 premiership coach, just a week after being on the wrong side of the largest overturned three-quarter-time deficit in V/AFL history. The code's oldest club will now begin its search for its 32nd head coach, but just who is in the running? Nathan Buckley The former Collingwood figurehead has been out of the coaching ranks since 2021, carving out a career in media in the years since. The 218 games he coached for the black and white culminated in a winning percentage of 54%, in a tenure that spanned multiple iterations of a playing list. While the ultimate success famously eluded him as player and coach of the biggest club in the land, his ability to straddle eras, and rebuild cultures, paints him as a viable option, given the period of turnover Melbourne's list is seemingly in the midst of currently. Buckley has spent much of this year refusing to rule himself out of upcoming coaching searches, such as Tasmania's inaugural appointment, but tactically, he may not be the breath of fresh air the Dees need. Dour defensive game plans characterised much of his stint at Collingwood, and given the major shortcoming of Melbourne's on-field performance since the drought-breaking premiership victory of 2021 has been an inability to connect forward of centre, this may count against the 2003 Brownlow Medallist. [caption id="attachment_26340" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley look dejected after defeat after their defeat during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Adam Simpson Buckley's victorious opposite number in the 2018 Grand Final, Adam Simpson, is another name being bandied around as a key member of the coaching carousel, after his departure from the Eagles, in July of last year. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Simpson boasted a winning record of 65% from 148 games in charge of the Eagles, but the number plummeted to just one win on the right side of 50% at the time of his sacking. Infamously poor list decisions, characterised by an excess of loyalty to the premiership heroes of 2018, contributed to the graceless decline of Simpson's program, but his tactical nous and coaching acumen are undeniable, evidenced by the expert analysis 'Simmo' has provided in the media since. Whether or not he is far enough removed from the scarring that undoubtedly comes with the repeated demolitions that populated the last few years of his tenure, is the big question mark over a potential appointment - at Melbourne or otherwise. [caption id="attachment_23327" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Adam Simpson speaks to the media during a West Coast Eagles AFL media opportunity at Subiaco Oval on August 27, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] John Longmire Simpson's fellow AFL360 analyst, 2012 premiership coach John Longmire, is also a name certain to feature in discussions. 'Horse' stepped into the role of Executive Director of Club Performance at Sydney, following a succession plan that saw Dean Cox replace him as the Swans' figurehead. The re-shuffle came after a second humiliatingly heavy grand final loss in three years, in 2024. The consistency of the Swans' ladder finishes under Longmire is incredible - 12 finals appearances in 14 years, which speaks volumes of his bona fides. Just one win from five attempts on the biggest stage, however, taints his legacy. A chance to rectify this unfortunate record is sure to spur the veteran coach to another tilt, but his lack of distance from the Swans since stepping down from that senior coaching position, could count against him. Premierships carry significant weight on one's footballing resume, and despite their shortcomings, it's not a stretch to suggest that Simpson and Longmire can cherry-pick their next appointments. The Demons will be hoping the bones of their program appeal to either, or both, of the 1999 premiership teammates. Scott Burns A well-credentialed assistant, former Collingwood captain Scott Burns looms as a 'coach-in-waiting', having completed a lengthy apprenticeship, across multiple clubs, since calling time on his playing career. Burns currently stewards the electric Adelaide Crows forward line, whose make-up is as effective as it is distinct. Three talls, and a fleet of versatile smalls, who pinch hit in the midfield. Before being entrusted with such firepower, he completed stints in various roles at West Coast, Collingwood, and Hawthorn, finding a new home in West Lakes before the commencement of the 2021 season. The calibre and breadth of his assistant coaching experience, and documented forays into selection processes for other head coaching positions, paint him as a likely candidate, should the Demons opt for an as-yet-untried senior coach. Daniel Giansiracusa The former Western Bulldogs mainstay transitioned into assistant coaching almost immediately following his playing retirement, and his crafted a distinguished name for himself amongst the coaching ranks since. Giansiracusa was named the AFLCA's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 for his work at Whitten Oval, before defecting to the Bombers, where he has since plied his trade in various roles. Rather infamously, the 43-year-old ruled himself out of the Eagles' search last season, but has taken part in processes at Carlton and Richmond. Given the Demons' list appears more inviting than that of the Eagles, Giansiracusa could well throw his hat in the ring for this most recent vacancy. [caption id="attachment_154073" align="alignnone" width="2337"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa looks on during the warm up before before the round 20 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium, on July 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Nigel Lappin Nigel Lappin knows successful environments. As a player, he yielded four All-Australian blazers, three premierships and a best and fairest with the Brisbane Lions juggernaut of the early 2000s. Just weeks after his August 2008 retirement, he joined the assistant coaching ranks of the Geelong Football Club, where he remains, almost two decades later. The Cats have won three premierships during that span, and have been one of the benchmarks for consistent excellence in Australian sport. Lappin currently oversees the unique, and revered development pathways at the Cattery, after stints stewarding one of the competition's premier midfields. In the eyes of many, it is high time the popular figure is handed the keys to a program of his own. [caption id="attachment_157623" align="alignnone" width="1064"] Geelong assistant coach Nigel Lappin at training. Credit: Geelong[/caption] James Rahilly Fellow Geelong assistant James Rahilly returned to Kardinia Park ahead of the 2024 season, after a three-season stint at Adelaide, which culminated in his naming as the recipient of the AFLCA's Assistant Coach of the Year Award, in 2023. Rahilly's first season as an assistant coincided with Chris Scott's first season at the helm of the club, in 2011 - a memorable year for those of a hoops persuasion. The Cats were understandably buoyed by his return to their fold, but senior coaching offers appear destined to make their way across Rahilly's desk in the not-too-distant future. The long-term trust afforded him by the masterful Scott is all the recommendation he may need. http://gty.im/2205675660 Troy Chaplin The man charged with interim coaching duties in Goodwin's stead is offensive co-ordinator Troy Chaplin. History is littered with interim coaches eventually being promoted to the the role in a full-time capacity, but this scenario presents as one where that sequence of events may not occur. Impotent offence has been the bugbear of Demons faithful for years. Promoting the man responsible for this phase of play to the top job reads as a move too lateral in these circumstances. However, his candidacy, after a decade in the program, is legitimate. Should Melbourne surprise decision makers in their last three fixtures, Chaplin shapes as a bolter in this race. [caption id="attachment_120175" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Adem Yze and Troy Chaplin the assistant coaches of the Demons walk out onto the field during the round seven AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 30, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Danny Daly One of the architects of the resurgence of the Brisbane Lions is Danny Daly. Six years on the coaching panel at the Gabba preceded his appointment as General Manager of Football, and whispers persist that a senior coaching position is his desired next move, and one he appears poised to excel in. Rumours have also persisted that the Lions' power brokers would dearly love Daly to take the reins from great mate, and incumbent coach, Chris Fagan, when the grandfatherly figure calls time. Daly is incredibly credentialed, and desired across the football landscape, for a variety of roles. The Demons would be neglecting due diligence by not enquiring about his availability for their recent vacancy. The one (albeit minor) question mark, would be regarding the intense, and deeply personal rivalry the Demons and Lions have built in the last few years. The dislike hardly appears manufactured, but such factors would appear unlikely to stymie Daly's appointment, should both parties hold an interest in a union.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Apply within: The 9 names likely to feature in Melbourne’s search for their next head coach

The Demons announced the immediate departure of premiership coach, Simon Goodwin, on Tuesday.

7. James Rahilly

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