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Why Chaplin does not want to succeed Goodwin for Melbourne job
Nicholas Quinlan • August 8th, 2025 2:45 pm
Interim coach Troy Chaplin has told Melbourne officials that he does not want to become the club’s next head coach despite having aspirations to one day become an AFL head coach.
Chaplin, who has been an assistant coach of the Demons since 2016, was appointed to the position after Simon Goodwin declined the offer to coach out the remainder of the season after being sacked.
Speaking with the media ahead of his first game in charge against the Western Bulldogs, the former Port Adelaide and Richmond defender made a point in his first question to say he was not interested in being the Demons' next head coach.
“I have spoken to the club, and I won’t be pursuing the role, but I certainly have aspirations to be a senior coach one day,” Chaplin said.
“To be able to lead a program with 'Richo' (Alan Richardson) over the next three weeks is a great opportunity. I am looking forward to it.
“We’ve got three really good games at the home of footy as well, at the MCG, where our fans can come out and support us."
Prior to this position, Chaplin worked as an assistant coach at his former club, Richmond. He also worked at Sturt in the SANFL and with the Oakleigh Chargers, making this interim role the first time that he has taken the senior reins.
When asked why he didn’t want to pursue the full-time position, Chaplin felt that previous examples or caretaker coaches being promoted have not gone well and thinks the club needs a new voice.
He also added that this arrangement of not being considered for their head coach position suits both the club and him.
“It was both, I went and spoke to them (the club) – history says caretaker coaches don’t get that role," Chaplin added.
“But they know I’m an aspiring head coach as well, so they gave me the opportunity to lead the program for the next three weeks.
“To also understand that they are looking for a new voice as well, it’s exciting for the football club and the playing group as well that in the next five or six weeks they’re going to have a new coach to drive this club forward.”
There are many contenders the job including John Longmire and Nathan Buckley, among multiple other names.
The Dees take on the Dogs at the 'G on Sunday.
