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DEMONS SHOCK AS CEO GONE<\/p>\n
Melbourne has parted ways with new CEO Paul Guerra just seven months after he began the role.<\/p>\n
The Herald Sun\u2019s Jay Clark reports<\/a> Guerra \u201cwas told on Tuesday morning the club had decided to move him on\u201d.<\/p>\n He was announced as the club\u2019s new CEO almost exactly one year ago and began his duties in early September.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The decision has \u201ccome as a shock\u201d to Guerra and he is \u201cunderstood to be seeking legal advice\u201d.<\/p>\n Foxfooty.com.au understands frustrations over the Demons\u2019 planned move to a new headquarters at Caulfield Racecourse were a factor.<\/p>\n The relocation remains uncertain given the temporary difficulties it will create for the racing in the state.<\/p>\n Guerra is a non-executive director of Racing Victoria.<\/p>\n The Demons have also been duelling with Richmond over the rights to temporarily take over Hawthorn\u2019s old base at Waverley Park. The Tigers will need a new home as the Punt Road Oval turf is torn up this off-season.<\/p>\n The Herald Sun also reported Guerra\u2019s \u201cleadership style\u201d played a role in the decision with \u201crelationship between Guerra and the board, including president Steven Smith, having deteriorated in recent weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Brian Cook will become interim CEO, returning to the club where he played his four VFL games.<\/p>\n Cook was Carlton CEO between 2021-25, before handing over to Graham Wright, and previously led Geelong and West Coast.<\/p>\n The Demons confirmed the move on Tuesday evening but did not explain its decision.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Melbourne Football Club Board confirms that Paul Guerra departed today as Chief Executive Officer,\u201d the club said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cExperienced 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Club expects to be in a position to make an announcement on a permanent CEO shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n Melbourne President Steven Smith said:\u2028\u201cOn behalf of Melbourne Football Club, I thank Paul for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cBrian 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are pleased that Brian has agreed to step into the role in an interim capacity until a permanent CEO can commence.\u201d<\/p>\n BLUES HEAD DOCTOR TAKES LEAVE IN SAD FALLOUT FROM HOLLANDS SAGA<\/p>\n Carlton\u2019s head doctor has taken personal leave and is considering his legal options in the sad fallout from the Elijah Hollands situation. <\/p>\n Seven\u2019s Tom Morris reports Blues doctor Matt Chamberlain last weekend stepped aside from his duties \u201cas a result of this saga\u201d after the Blues submitted their investigation on the Hollands case to the AFL. <\/p>\n \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s a two-pronged thing. One, he\u2019s not there at the moment and they hope he\u2019s back soon. And two, this could get legal if it goes the wrong way from a medical perspective.\u201d <\/p>\n Elijah Hollands (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Morris added that the Blues hope Chamberlain is back for this weekend\u2019s clash with St Kilda but were able to confirm it. <\/p>\n 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..<\/p>\n Hollands and younger brother Ollie missed last week\u2019s loss to Fremantle, but Ollie has since returned to training and could yet face St Kilda this Saturday night at Marvel Stadium. <\/p>\n BUCKLEY OPENS UP ON HOW PIES NAVIGATED MCCARTHY\u2019S DEATH<\/p>\n 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\u2019s family tragedy. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It coincided with Buckley\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, 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,\u201d Buckley began on Fox Footy\u2019s On The Couch.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJMac\u2019s funeral was on the Thursday at midday the day before the prelim against Sydney in Sydney on the Friday night.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just had to embrace the fact that our people needed to grieve and we needed to be together, and that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n READ MORE <\/p>\n POWER RANKINGS: Wildcard reality, gentle draws that prove AFL surprise packets are in the finals race<\/a><\/p>\n RD 8 TEAM TIPS: Big call on Pies star; Blue in race for clash with $12m rival as brutal 665-day hiatus over<\/a><\/p>\n