Just announced.

Mark ‘Choco’ Williams axed in latest Melbourne sacking

Kane Cornes with the breaking news.

Loved Choco for 2021 🏆 and his new player academy development work

But ultimately the skills of the team are generally sub par , as is goalkicking.

These were deficient areas that were within his domain.

Assume Bucks did not want him. He was great at the start, no doubt about that. Must be some new blood around for his job. So neither here nor there but not against it

Axing implies he is not coaching out the season…

Or did we just tell him we won’t renew the contract?

I’m all for it, great to get us where we got. But as our skills coach, couldn’t be worse as we speak. Glad they’re making changes.

Thanks for your service Chocco. I'm sure it won't take long to find another role.

Viva la Revolución.

Thanks for your knowledge and investment Chocco!

The dominoes begin..

Please come back Nev

Thanks Choco..

Good luck in the future. Thanks for your hand in 21 👍

I know he was well respected by the playing group and they loved him.

Really do think he had a big say in our 2021 campaign and for that I think him for all his hard work.

Loves the game and is dedicated to helping every single player on the playing list.

Go well Choc 👏

I think he was an important contributor in terms of getting some premiership winning mindset in to our players, but as far as skill development goes our current side especially are a long way off. Kicking is one issue, although it's very hard to change techniques under pressure at AFL level. But we really struggle with handballing and some players even with just picking the footy up!

Which isn't to say it's all on Choco but I'm not surprised with 1M dead cap on the books next year and the need to bring in some quality assistants that Choco is the odd man out.

Premierships at Port and Melb and did a lot for Richmond's development, he's got a strong coaching legacy

Its hard to make a silk purse out of a sows ear..

Choco did a great job teaching skills, but obviously rinse and repeat of the message was not making a difference any more. Suggest we will cut everyone that we can before the coaching announcement so the new coach can have a clear run.

I would expect the coach announcement at the Bluey or just before, so then we can go into the trade and draft period ready to strike as best suits the new coach’s vision of what we will be.

Just wonder how many more will go or decide to not apply.

I think the drafting group are ok if they want it.

Tim Lamb brought us KW. And there are two younger brothers

Well that two premiership coaches out the door, I think that Mark Williams helped rev the club up with the DNA, set up at Casey. But understand the new coach will want his own development team around him and we need a new direction as well. Thanks Mark Choco Williams it has been a very fruitful exercise for the MFC. Flags for our AFL and VFL teams since he joined the crew. Good luck on all future endeavours Mark and thanks for your help and guidance since you joined the mighty Dees. What a great story teller and all true stories.👍😁❤️💙

I remember 21 when Choco and Burgess gave such a strong vibe behind the scenes. I miss those days! Thanks for all you gave and for your hand in a flag that none of us will ever forget.

Wishing you well… and I also think it’s time.

The news of Choco getting the bullet has given me an odd craving.

Not a great day for the extended family with his son-in-law Dylan Shiel also on the way out of Essendon. (And no, we shouldn't pick him up.)

Any chance of hiring anyone?

Maxy might be player/coach/CEO by friday at this rate

Thanks for your part in 2021 Choco

By the way, an interesting tidbit at the end of this clip from Kane here regarding Buckley sounding out a former MFC coach/employee - does anyone know who Cleary was referring to?

Edited August 20, 2025Aug 20 by demoncat

43 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Just announced.

Mark ‘Choco’ Williams axed in latest Melbourne sacking

Kane Cornes with the breaking news.

About time!

6 minutes ago, demoncat said:

Thanks for your part in 2021 Choco

By the way, an interesting tidbit at the end of this clip from Kane here regarding Buckley sounding out a former MFC coach/employee - does anyone know who Cleary was referring to?

Fingers crossed it’s Burgess!

Hopefully Jones is next.

4 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Fingers crossed it’s Burgess!

They said it was someone Bucks had worked with before. Any ex dees players/coaches who also worked with bucks? I assume Jetta was there after bucks

He’s a great footy person! All the best choco!

16 minutes ago, demoncat said:

Thanks for your part in 2021 Choco

By the way, an interesting tidbit at the end of this clip from Kane here regarding Buckley sounding out a former MFC coach/employee - does anyone know who Cleary was referring to?

Think he mentioned this last night. One of our AFLW coaches who was moved on a couple of months ago worked with Buckley in the past. Can't remember the name