Melbourne has farewelled backline coach Nathan Bassett, who is returning home to South Australia, and will join SANFL club West Adelaide Bloods.
Bassett joined the Demons 12 months ago when the club was under the direction of former Adelaide teammate Simon Goodwin.
The former Crow has spent 10 years coaching in the AFL, including stints at Port Adelaide as an assistant coach, as well as Essendon.
Bassett is also a two-time SANFL premiership coach with Norwood, taking the Redlegs to consecutive flags in 2012 and 2013.
"Nathan has been a great addition to our program this past season, bringing different perspectives and ideas to our coaching panel," said Alan Richardson, Melbourne's GM of AFL Football Performance.
"He has built some great relationships with our players throughout this time, and while we'll miss having him at the club, we fully support his decision to return home for family reasons.
"We wish Nathan, his wife Nicole and their children Charlotte and Will all the best for the future."
Bassett returns to the SANFL for the Bloods ahead of the 2026 season, and will officially commence his role later in the year.
West Adelaide finished at the bottom of the 2025 ladder, managing only three wins from 18 starts and were in desperate need of a change.
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Bassett's departure from Melbourne comes amid a new era for the Demons, which will be led by incoming senior coach Steven King.
King was recently appointed as Goodwin's replacement, beating out candidates like Nathan Buckley, James Kelly, Brendon Lade and Daniel Giansiracusa.
Melbourne has already bid farewell to midfield assistant Sam Radford, who has joined West Coast, as well as Mark Williams.
Caretaker coach Troy Chaplin is being hunted by Richmond, but is contracted for 2026.
