Demons ponder new footy department chief as strategy boss

Melbourne are considering a major overhaul of their football department by creating a new position, as incoming CEO Paul Guerra eyes further change ahead of the 2026 season.

Competition sources have confirmed the Demons, who are on the lookout for a new senior coach after the sudden sacking of Simon Goodwin, are also making inroads into creating a new senior role – to be in charge of strategy.

The West Coast Eagles did a similar thing at the end of last season, hiring their premiership coach John Worsfold to oversee the football department in a role that the club said would include coaching structure, development, performance and culture.

If the club were to make the appointment in the off-season, it would mean that current football boss Alan Richardson, who is contracted for 2026 is part of the club’s subcommittee to choose the next coach, would answer to the new appointment.

The role would essentially sit between the football department and Guerra, who officially starts as chief executive on September 8.

The club wouldn’t be drawn into commenting when contacted on Monday.

The Age can also reveal the club’s psychologist, Stephen Rendall, has resigned after nearly four years at the Demons.

The club said Rendall, a performance psychologist, would continue to work for the club in the background up until the national draft until a proper handover was organised.

Rendall, who formerly worked as North Melbourne’s psychologist, has worked for the club during a turbulent period for the playing group, including a difficult trade period last year when star midfielders Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca both tried to leave but were denied trades by the Demons.