There’s been a major shock at Melbourne with the new CEO suddenly departing the club after just seven months.
Plus a key Blues staffer has taken leave in the fallout from the Elijah Hollands saga.MORE IN AFL DAILY BELOW!
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DEMONS SHOCK AS CEO GONE
Melbourne has parted ways with new CEO Paul Guerra just seven months after he began the role.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark reports Guerra “was told on Tuesday morning the club had decided to move him on”.
He was announced as the club’s new CEO almost exactly one year ago and began his duties in early September.
Guerra oversaw the appointment of new coach Steven King who has led the Demons to a surprising 5-2 start to the season, including wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast.
The decision has “come as a shock” to Guerra and he is “understood to be seeking legal advice”.
Foxfooty.com.au understands frustrations over the Demons’ planned move to a new headquarters at Caulfield Racecourse were a factor.
The relocation remains uncertain given the temporary difficulties it will create for the racing in the state.
Guerra is a non-executive director of Racing Victoria.
The Demons have also been duelling with Richmond over the rights to temporarily take over Hawthorn’s old base at Waverley Park. The Tigers will need a new home as the Punt Road Oval turf is torn up this off-season.
The Herald Sun also reported Guerra’s “leadership style” played a role in the decision with “relationship between Guerra and the board, including president Steven Smith, having deteriorated in recent weeks”.
Melbourne Football Club then-President, Brad Green, Incoming Demons Head Coach, Steven King and Melbourne Football Club CEO Paul Guerra speak to media during a Melbourne Demons AFL press conference at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 15, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Brian Cook will become interim CEO, returning to the club where he played his four VFL games.
Cook was Carlton CEO between 2021-25, before handing over to Graham Wright, and previously led Geelong and West Coast.
The Demons confirmed the move on Tuesday evening but did not explain its decision.
“The Melbourne Football Club Board confirms that Paul Guerra departed today as Chief Executive Officer,” the club said in a statement.
“Experienced administrator Brian Cook, previously CEO at West Coast, Geelong and Carlton football clubs, who has been consulting to the club since late last year, will serve as the Interim Chief Executive Officer.
“The Club expects to be in a position to make an announcement on a permanent CEO shortly.”
Melbourne President Steven Smith said: “On behalf of Melbourne Football Club, I thank Paul for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.
“Brian is a highly respected operator and with over 35 years of experience in AFL clubs he will provide much needed leadership and guidance through this period.
“We are pleased that Brian has agreed to step into the role in an interim capacity until a permanent CEO can commence.”
BLUES HEAD DOCTOR TAKES LEAVE IN SAD FALLOUT FROM HOLLANDS SAGA
Carlton’s head doctor has taken personal leave and is considering his legal options in the sad fallout from the Elijah Hollands situation.
Seven’s Tom Morris reports Blues doctor Matt Chamberlain last weekend stepped aside from his duties “as a result of this saga” after the Blues submitted their investigation on the Hollands case to the AFL.
“I also understand Chamberlain is considering his legal options should the AFL investigation come back in a way that dissatisfies him or potentially paints him in a light that he thinks is unfair.
“So it’s a two-pronged thing. One, he’s not there at the moment and they hope he’s back soon. And two, this could get legal if it goes the wrong way from a medical perspective.”
Elijah Hollands (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
Morris added that the Blues hope Chamberlain is back for this weekend’s clash with St Kilda but were able to confirm it.
It comes as the AFL is seeking further information after receiving the report from Carlton that was overseen by head of football Chris Davies, according to AFL journalist Damian Barrett..
Hollands and younger brother Ollie missed last week’s loss to Fremantle, but Ollie has since returned to training and could yet face St Kilda this Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
BUCKLEY OPENS UP ON HOW PIES NAVIGATED MCCARTHY’S DEATH
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has opened up on how the club navigated the death of former Magpie John McCarthy, as the Crows manage Jordan Dawson’s family tragedy.
McCarthy died from multiple injuries in September 2012 after falling from a rooftop at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas while on a post-season holiday with other Port Adelaide players.
It coincided with Buckley’s first finals campaign as coach of the Magpies, as multiple Collingwood players were deeply affected by the passing of McCarthy, who moved to Port Adelaide ahead of the 2012 season.
“First, condolences to Jordan Dawson and the family, and this challenge for Jordan and the family and the grief will last a lot longer than our focus on it from a football perspective,” Buckley began on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“It was my first year as a senior coach in 2012 when John McCarthy passed overseas and he had six to eight really tight mates in our team when we were in the midst of finals.
“JMac’s funeral was on the Thursday at midday the day before the prelim against Sydney in Sydney on the Friday night.
“We just had to embrace the fact that our people needed to grieve and we needed to be together, and that’s exactly what we did. I wish I was a bit more experienced as a coach to be able to push the football aside even more to be honest.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 15: The Magpies stand for a minute silence in respect for John McCarthy during the first AFL Semi Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 15, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
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Dawson was still emotional in his return to the field against Brisbane last week after his brother’s tragic death.
Buckley added that it’s a “challenge” facing Matthew Nicks in balancing his captain’s personal tragedy with Adelaide’s huge Showdown clash with Port Adelaide this Friday night.
“Jordan must have spoken about this that it gives him the opportunity to play and to lose himself in a passion that he has in football and leadership and the Crows and his teammates,” Buckley said.
“That can happen in the short term, but it’s going to be longer than that for him and his teammates as well, so there’s no manual for it.
“As a coach there are no rights for it, but there are wrongs and you just have to make sure you’re really checking in with your people and you’re connecting really strongly and putting out as much love and care and consideration as you possibly can.
“And then it’s trusting that the footy looks after itself because it’s not the priority at the moment.”
COLLINGWOOD’S PENDLEBURY GAMES RECORD ‘CONUNDRUM’
When should Scott Pendlebury break the AFL games record?
It’s been one of the hot talking points this week after Pendlebury, coming off a supreme Anzac Day performance at age 38, closes in on Brent Harvey’s 432-game milestone.
With Pendlebury currently two games shy from breaking the record, Collingwood has upcoming clashes against Hawthorn (MCG), Geelong (away), Sydney (SCG) and West Coast (MCG).
There’s been talk the Pies champ will rest this week on a five-day turnaround, which would have him on track to break the record in Sydney.
But he could also miss that SCG clash too and ensure he gets to celebrate the big occasion at the MCG in front of the Collingwood faithful, all while the Pies try and keep winning games.
“They are all of a sudden faced with a somewhat of a conundrum,” Demons great Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“You can justify (missing) this Thursday night as that makes sense and then you would expect him to play against Geelong at the MCG, which equals the record, and then the decision has to come.”
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Collingwood’s away game against Sydney in Round 10 also comes on a shorter six-day break.
“That and the occasion would tip it over I’d suggest, and the fact they’d want it at the MCG,” Lyon added.
“They don’t want him breaking the record at the SCG, but in the back of your mind you think where do we see ourselves as a footy side?’ in all of this. Genuine top six?
“I don’t think anyone thinks they’re top four, but are we going to put everything into finishing top 10 so we’re involved and does the Sydney game factor in?
“But I guess off the shorter turnaround and the want to have it back at the MCG, that’s the way I see it.”
Fellow AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley thinks “it has to be at the MCG”.
“That was the lesson for me out of Saturday,” he continued.
“Whether you think he should play in the Sydney game or not, you think back to Dusty’s 300 and 92,000 came for one man, and the fact it is Collingwood and the all-time record, it has to be at the MCG on that Saturday twilight.
“Knowing the way Collingwood is, they could get high 90’s.”
GREAT RAISES BOLD IDEA TO TURN PLAYERS INTO UMPIRES
Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis has raised the bold suggestion of an umpiring academy made up of former players.
Umpiring has been in the spotlight in recent weeks including plenty of scrutiny coming the officials in Round 7 due to another touchy ARC decision and the stand rule.
Lewis suggested an ex-players umpiring academy could boost the numbers of whistleblowers and create employment opportunities for players that are delisted.
“We always hear that there aren’t many umpires coming through and the quality of the umpires, that we’ve got eight or 10 really good ones and then the quality of the umpires drops away,” Lewis said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“There are 18 teams currently in the AFL and on average about 70 to 100 players that exit the game (each year), so why don’t the AFL put together an academy for ex-players to then become umpires and fast-track them in a way.
“They might have to do a year in VFL to get used to the games and knowing where to stand, and then progress them if they’re any good into the AFL system.”
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Lewis continued: “I think there are two reasons why it works well.
“Firstly they’re paid anywhere between $100,000 and $200,000 for effectively part-time hours, which is more than you’d get as a development coach.
“So not only are you doing that on weekends, you’ve got Monday to Friday to then further your career in any other industry that you can think of.
“I think it’s a great mix for players to be able to go through that little pathway together, as sometimes it’s a little intimidating to do it yourself and there’s only two ex-AFL players that are central umpires.
“I think it is something the AFL should look into.”
Tigers great Jack Riewoldt responded: “I can’t wait to see you in green next year, Jordan Lewis.”