Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Assistant Coaches in 2026

Demongirl35
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Should have had an actual forward coaching the group 4 years ago. Blows my mind we had Stafford coaching the forwards. I’m pretty sure that’s who was coaching them

  • Quote
    • Like 4
     

    Have banged on about this for some time and I dare to dream we would get someone like Hawk involved. Would be ironic if we moved May forward.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Haha 2

    Love this.

    Potential ins

    Hawkins, Hamill, Scarlett, Bartel.

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Love 1
     

    Can I take the credit here - because I've been a keyboard warrior banging on about this and not been invovled in any discussions with Tom at all!

    22 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

    Is there any other news on the assistant coaching front? We seem to have a few roles to fill.

    Always hated Geelong with a passion though that is at least partly due to their continued competitiveness - so don't mind the idea of a few ex-Geelong people getting on board. Is Tom Hawkins in the frame? We need some help with forward craft - and Mihocek is a start - but having a coach who's played in a modern system and known for not just kicking but also creating goals

    On 19/09/2025 at 10:40, deelusions from afar said:

    The main thing I'd be wanting to get from BM coming in (and maybe a new assistant as well) is some improved forward craft / structure (not saying this isn't something they've been trying to fix for a while). How are our young key forwards meant to develop when there are so few (any?) natural forwards at the club. I rate Melksham and Fritsch but because of their size and skillset have to play differently to key forwards and are often trying to get out the back rather than come at the ball carrier. I don't think this works for your main focal point to play like that. Kentfield, Jefferson and JVR all have shown potential... but its only potential. Someone like BM could be a huge help in helping us structure up on field.

    Not sure the extent of King's connections and other priorities / contractual limitations etc but would love to see him try and bring in someone like Tom Hawkins to help coach the forwardline. Though I despised him as a player, he did seem to get better with time (suggests someone who relies on their brain rather than athleticism) and is well known for creating goals (through assists) rather than just kicking them himself. I think it's probably been as long as the days of Neitz / Robertson (other than some brief stints from Brown, Hogan, Clarke etc) that we've had a true key forward leader in the forward line.

  • Quote
    • Clap 2

    24 minutes ago, Frustrated Demon said:

    Should have had an actual forward coaching the group 4 years ago. Blows my mind we had Stafford coaching the forwards. I’m pretty sure that’s who was coaching them

    As someone who was a coach for 20 years, if you've ever coached, you'll know that the best coaches are often not the best players. Bizarre, I know.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Thanks 2
    12 minutes ago, Demons1858 said:

    With a year off, can Tom put the boots on again

    His boots would still fit... his shorts however....

    honey boo boo squeeze GIF

  • Quote
    • Haha 8
     
    1 minute ago, chookrat said:

    He can teach our forwarfs to clumsily elbow defenders in the face and get away with it.

    Jeffo could do with this

  • Quote
    • Haha 2
    • Clap 1
    2 minutes ago, chookrat said:

    He can teach our forwarfs to clumsily elbow defenders in the face and get away with it.

    Also how to score a farm worth millions

  • Quote
    • Haha 2

    Our forwards will be using the elbows and pushes in the back much more now

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    "Big boys, all stand at the top of the square and wait for a long, high ball in. Kozzie, stand 10m in front of the pack"

  • Quote
    • Haha 3

    What, do we only recruit coaches who have proven they can belt our players?

    That said, Tom Hawkins was a smart footballer with exemplary team-first attitude and a ton of insight into every aspect of key forward craft.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

    1 hour ago, Frustrated Demon said:

    Should have had an actual forward coaching the group 4 years ago. Blows my mind we had Stafford coaching the forwards. I’m pretty sure that’s who was coaching them

    To a flag if you don’t mind FD.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    50 minutes ago, Very Jaded said:

    Also how to score a farm worth millions

    You are very Jaded😂

  • Quote
    • Haha 2

    You can’t put a boy in Toms body unfortunately.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    57 minutes ago, chookrat said:

    He can teach our forwarfs to clumsily elbow defenders in the face and get away with it.

    You beat me to it, chookrat! His forward craft, power and team-first attitude are outstanding but I have to admit to being appalled at how often he got away with belting opposition players, and pushing in the back.

    My question would be - "does this great forward know how to convey his craft to other younger players"?. Shannon Neale speaks highly of Hawkins' influence so let's hope so.

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    when the dust settles on trade period if we include King snd Hawkins we might be well ahead regardless of outcome with Oliver and Trac.

    I also think Health Black will prove a very good get.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    29 minutes ago, bluey said:

    You can’t put a boy in Toms body unfortunately.

    Probably big enough to eat one though

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
     

    😁

    Screenshot_20251009_142223_X.jpg

  • Quote
    • Thanks 2

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • NON-MFC: Round 01

      With Opening Round done and dusted, Round 1 sees the full AFL competition finally swing into action for 2026. Discuss all the games this week that do not involve the Dees, share your tips, and let us know which results would suit Demons best.

        • Like
      • 286 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: 2026 Season Preview

      The boys previewed the 2026 Season sharing their early impressions of the new coach, the new players, observations from preseason training, and what they've made of the new game style. They also look ahead to the season with their predictions, the players they expect to rise, their expectations for the team, and what they see as a realistic pass mark for Melbourne in 2026.

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Like
      • 14 replies
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

      When the Demons blew their 46-point lead at Marvel Stadium in Round 20 last year, the fallout was enormous. Like an event straight out of a Shakespearean tragedy, Melbourne’s final-quarter collapse left fans reeling and the club grappling with the aftermath. 

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 10 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: St. Kilda

      With just over two weeks until their opening match of the 2026 AFL Premiership season, the Demons are already well on the path to redemption and have the Saints firmly in their sights ahead of their mid-March clash at the MCG. What do you think the team will look like when they run out on to the G?

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 643 replies
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: 2026 Opening Round

      Finally the 2026 AFL Premiership Season is upon us. While Melbourne sits out Opening Round, there is still plenty of footy to enjoy with five non-MFC clashes to kick off the new season. It all begins on Thursday night with a blockbuster at the SCG as Sydney hosts Carlton in what should be a strong early test for both sides. On Friday night, Gold Coast gets its chance to open the season in front of a home crowd when the Suns and Christian Petracca take on Geelong at People First Stadium. Saturday features a double-header, starting in the afternoon with Greater Western Sydney and Clayton Oliver meeting the Hawks at Engie Stadium. That is followed on Saturday night by Brisbane Lions hosting the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, with the Lions embarking on their campaign to win the Threepeat. Opening Round wraps up on Sunday night at the MCG, where St Kilda takes on Collingwood in the only game in town in the first week of the season. There is no shortage of storylines across the round, so discuss all the action from the non-MFC games of Opening Round.

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 557 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      Mars is not usually a place known for lighting strikes but on Friday evening it happened twice in the vicinity of the stadium in Ballarat that carries the name and is a half completed building site with limited capacity for spectators.

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland
    View All

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.