Melbourne Demons

Melbourne poach rival assistant, confirm return of club great with double coaching move

The Demons have confirmed a pair of coaching additions.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Melbourne has welcomed back club legend Nathan Jones to the club in a coaching capacity alongside former Adelaide player Nathan Basset.

The pair will join Simon Goodwin's coaching group, with Basset set to take care of the backline whilst Jones will look after the midfield.

Former Richmond and Port Adelaide player Troy Chaplin will also remain in his seat as part of the Demons' coaching cohort, moving from defence to the forward line.

Jones played 302 games for Melbourne and retired following the 2021 season, having missed out on the club's drought-breaking premiership victory over the Western Bulldogs.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Nathan Jones of the Demons looks dejected after a loss during the 2019 AFL round 22 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 16, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 36-year-old has been involved in the media and is now making a return to the football landscape in the hope of restabilising his former side.

As for Bassett, he joins the Demons with a wealth of experience on the coaching front, spending the last 10 years at Essendon and Port Adelaide.

The 47-year-old took 2024 off after eight years at Alberton and now will join the ranks at Melbourne.

GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said Bassett's knowledge and perspective will be of significant benefit to the program and broader club.

“We are thrilled to have Nathan join our club in an assistant coaching capacity,” Richardson said.

“Nathan's coaching experience over the past 15 years is incredibly impressive. From winning two premierships with Norwood in his early years of coaching to spending time at Essendon and, more recently, Port Adelaide, we are excited by what he can add to our program, with a specific focus on our backline and team defence.

“We look forward to welcoming Nathan, his wife Nicole and his children Charlotte and Will in preparation for the 2025 season.” 

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: (L-R) Michael Voss midfield manager of the Power and Nathan Bassett defence coach of the power walk onto the field during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on August 13, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

The signing of Jones and Bassett comes as the Demons farewelled CEO Gary Pert, standing down at the end of the year before remaining at the club in a consultancy role to ensure the swift progress of the Caufield racecourse development.

Pert was one of few big names at Melbourne who were embroiled in off-field drama, following the Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver sagas, as well as Kate Roffey.

The Demons welcomed an external review - headed up by New Zealand All Blacks leadership guru Darren Shand - which will reportedly see the results made public in the coming weeks.

Published by
Aidan Cellini