Two of the AFL's most respected former players, Bob Murphy and Rory Sloane, are being courted by clubs to return to the game as coaches, with the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons respectively expressing interest in securing their services for the 2025 season and beyond.
The Western Bulldogs have approached their club legend, Bob Murphy, in a bid to bring him back to the Kennel following his departure from Fremantle.
Murphy, who served as Fremantle's head of leadership for three seasons under coach Justin Longmuir, resigned from the Dockers last month and has since returned to Melbourne with his family.
Murphy, 42, is a dual All-Australian and played 312 games for the Bulldogs between 2000 and 2017, captaining the club from 2015 until his retirement.
His emotional connection to the Bulldogs runs deep, and the club is keen to explore a role that will combine Murphy's media commitments with an involvement in leadership development and football strategy, according to AFL.com reporter Josh Gabelich.
The Bulldogs aren't expected to overhaul their football department after two recent reviews, but Murphy's return would be seen as a homecoming of sorts, particularly given his wide-ranging impact on the club both during his playing days and his post-football career.
The former skipper has continued to maintain a public profile through his media work, featuring on Triple M and ABC in recent weeks.
Murphy's versatility on and off the field has made him a valuable figure within AFL circles, and Bulldogs officials believe his leadership qualities and intimate knowledge of the club's culture would benefit their program.
Meanwhile, Melbourne has set its sights on retired Adelaide Crows champion Rory Sloane to fill a coaching vacancy in 2025.
According to reports from 7NEWS, the Demons have engaged in multiple discussions with the 34-year-old, who retired earlier this year after 255 games for the Crows, citing concerns for his long-term health following multiple surgeries to repair a detached retina.
Sloane, a former Crows captain and two-time Malcolm Blight Medallist, is known for his leadership on the field and his fierce competitiveness, making him an attractive coaching prospect for the Demons.
Melbourne's coaching panel was recently depleted after the departure of Greg Stafford, and Sloane's experience in the midfield could be an ideal fit for Simon Goodwin's coaching group.
Interestingly, Sloane has enlisted former Adelaide CEO Andrew Fagan, now an executive with Dime Sports Group, to handle negotiations.
"Rory is exploring a few opportunities at present, some of which are in AFL coaching, others in the broader footy industry," Fagan told 7NEWS.
Should the deal with Melbourne materialise, it would mark Sloane's first foray into coaching. His close ties with Adelaide and deep understanding of the game, honed over 15 seasons at the elite level, position him as a strong candidate to transition into a mentorship role.
The pursuit of both Murphy and Sloane underscores clubs looking to gain a high football IQ, and strong emotional connection to the game through their coaching ranks.
As players continue to evolve and impact at a younger age, former greats can shape the next generation of players, blending their on-field experiences with strategic insights gained in the aftermath.
