Melbourne's new specialist coach Matthew Scarlett said the decision to get back into the AFL landscape was made easy when the proposition to work with the young Demons list emerged.
Scarlett reunited with former Geelong teammate and Demons senior coach Steven King, while also reconnecting with Jared Rivers and Alan Richardson.
Working in a part-time capacity alongside his duties as the Torquay U16s coach, the six-time All-Australian fullback has been tasked with assisting the key position players, as well as chiming in on the defensive development of the group.
"Great opportunity to get back into the AFL system," Scarlett told club media. "It's been five or six years since I've been involved with an AFL club.
"Mainly just working with the key position players, forwards and backs. A little bit of ruck stuff as well.
"Working on their contested marking and aerial craft, and body positioning. Also helping Riv (Jared Rivers) with the defensive stuff.
"Obviously, I have a great relationship with Kingy. It's also good to reconnect with Jared Rivers as well, who I coached at Geelong. Also, Alan Richardson, I have a really good relationship with him over the last five or six years."
The three-time premiership player immediately noticed a host of Demons who have impressed him, including draftee Xavier Taylor and Daniel Turner.
"I think they've got a really exciting young list," Scarlett added.
"Having a new coach, I think Kingy is going to be a wonderful coach, so just learning the new environment. I am coaching in Geelong, so it's been great for me to learn from these great coaches.
"But some of these young key position players really excite me."
The Demons will compete in an intraclub match on Friday, February 13, before clashes against North Melbourne and Richmond ahead of the 2026 season.
