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?
9. 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.
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