ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Darren Burgess of the Power looks on during the round 15 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on July 1, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
The Demons have signed highly-touted fitness guru Darren Burgess.
In what is a major win for the club, Burgess comes across after working with English football heavyweights Arsenal, before spending time with Port Adelaide from 2012 to 2017. Burgess has also worked at both Liverpool and Football Australia.
The high-performance boss will work with the club to develop strength and conditioning programs while also working within the medical department.
For the Demons, it was a move that needed to happen given the plethora of injuries which derailed their season. Burgess comes into Melbourne with the goal of building fitness and limiting the amount of soft-tissue injuries - while also rising back to September action.
Arsenal let go of the high-performance guru after two seasons, where he spent time managing some of the wealthiest and most-talented athletes across the globe.
According to the Daily Telegraph, there were two other AFL clubs, an A-League club and several overseas franchises who were in the race to secure Burgess - with Melbourne coming up victorious.