Despite side being in AFL free-fall, board elects to stay the course in tough times.
Embattled Melbourne Demons coach Mark Neeld will be in charge of the side against Richmond this weekend, in spite of the side’s shocking start to the AFL season.
Calls for Neeld’s sacking have been growing every week, with critics finding more fuel to add to the fire after the Demons were thumped by the Gold Coast Suns by 60 points last game.
New chief executive Peter Jackson has ordered a wide-sweeping review into the club as it plummets towards crisis on and off the field.
Despite the call to review the entire club, Jackson has told Neeld to get on with the job of coaching the side ahead of a tough month which includes Richmond, Fremantle (away), Hawthorn and Collingwood.
Some ex-Melbourne players have claimed Neeld is not entirely to blame saying the players are performing nowhere near their ability.
Former Demons great David Schwarz expressed his grave concern for the future of the club, saying it may go the way of Fitzroy and be forced to merge or shut its doors completely.
“As a Melbourne member and as a Melbourne person who loves their club dearly, we’re watching the club decay before our very eyes,” Schwarz said.
“It’s in free-fall. Whether it’s on-field or off-field, you cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel.
“I never wanted to ever say this because you don’t like to be derogatory towards an ex-club. But Fitzroy were on their knees and eventually they were no longer in existence.
“Melbourne is a bee’s whisker from being in the Fitzroy position.”
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