Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Three new names emerge in Melbourne coaching race
SEN • August 25th, 2025 11:07 am
Melbourne have met with up to 15 names in the past fortnight as they go in search for a new head coach, according to AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.
While Nathan Buckley is widely seen as the frontrunner for the job, Gabelich says the Demons are casting the net ‘far and wide’ as they look for Simon Goodwin’s replacement.
According to Gabelich, the Demons are beginning a search to create a coaching shortlist by holding informal meetings with a raft of current assistants.
He named Western Bulldogs’ assistant Brendon Lade, Hawthorn assistant David Hale and Geelong assistant James Kelly as three options the Demons are looking at early.
“Melbourne is currently finalising its shortlist for its next senior coach this week,” Gabelich said on SEN Breakfast.
“They've met with a wide range of coaches over the past fortnight. All informal speed dates, such as coffee catchups.
“I'm told that up to 15 coaches they've met with. So, they have cast the net far and wide.
“Three names I can bring you. Brendon Lade, the midfield coach at the Western Bulldogs, David Hale, the Hawthorn midfield coach, and Geelong assistant James Kelly.
“Now, clearly, Nathan Buckley is the frontrunner, but they are going to run a full process here.
“They expect the shortlist to be six to eight names that will be finalised in the next couple of days, and they’ll get going on that because they still aim to have a senior coach in place by Grand Final week because of how important the trade period is.
“But they are casting the net far and wide.”
After the likes of Daniel Giansiracusa and Ashley Hansen opted out of joining the race to become West Coast’s head coach last season, Gabelich was asked by David King if we’d see anything similar this year with the vacant Melbourne role.
“I think the names that you just mentioned (Daniel Pratt and David Hale) will (put their hat in the ring),” Gabelich said.
“I think there'll be some senior assistants that won't (go for the job), we have seen that in the past with Daniel Giansiracusa, for example (with West Coast).
“But I think we might see some fresher names flushed out in the coming days that will go through this process.”
