MELBOURNE women's coach Michelle Cowan has stepped down from her impending position after she decided to remain in Perth with her family.
Cowan, also a part-time development coach of the men's Demons' side, was a lock to lead Melbourne's women's team when the competition begins in 2017, having been associated with the side since 2013.
But she informed the club she would be unable to relocate to Melbourne on a full-time basis because of family commitments, with reports suggesting she will instead coach Fremantle's women's side.
However, Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich would not confirm Cowan's appointment when contacted by AFL.com.au on Friday.
"We are still undertaking the process for the appointment of coach of our women’s team," Rosich said.
"Given that the appointment has not been finalised it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage."
The Demons will now be searching for a full-time women's coach, starting with the club's standalone fixture against the Western Bulldogs on September 3.
Cowan thanked the Demons for the opportunities they provided her.
"[I] commenced my role in 2013 and ever since then I've really enjoyed the aspects of my role," Cowan told melbournefc.com.au.
"Working with both the women and the men, it's been a really challenging decision to make. But from a family perspective, it's certainly the right decision, with a five-year-old and a seven-year-old.
"I'm excited about the new opportunities and I'm really thankful for Melbourne’s investment in me and my development as a coach. I'll reflect really positively on my involvement at the club."
Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said losing a person of Cowan's calibre was disappointing, but that the club understood her situation.
"We are very proud of the opportunities that we have given Michelle since 2013 through her involvement with our women's program and more recently the role that she has been playing in our football program," Mahoney said.
"We identified Michelle as someone who could help our men’s program based on her experience in coaching, life skills and character and have been very happy with the contribution she has made through the 2016 season.
"The travel from Perth to Melbourne has been a challenge and we knew at some point a decision would need to be made on whether Michelle could move her family to Melbourne and take up a full-time role which she was offered."
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