BRENDAN McCartney has joined Melbourne as a development and strategy coach, just weeks after being deposed as senior coach of the Western Bulldogs.
The 54-year-old made his name as a development coach at Geelong under Mark Thompson, helping the club to develop a generation of stars and being part of the coaching line-up until the end of 2010.
He then moved to Essendon for a season in 2011, joining Mark Thompson and James Hird at the Bombers. He won respect for his efforts at the club before being a surprise appointment as the Western Bulldogs senior coach.
"We are delighted that Brendan McCartney has agreed to join us in the role of development and strategy coach," manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said.
"He has a proven record and reputation in developing players and his appointment adds valued experience to our development program.
"Adding resources to our development area was a key focus for the club this off-season."
His three-year tenure at the Western Bulldogs ended abruptly when he resigned the day after former skipper Ryan Griffen informed the club he wanted to be traded to Greater Western Sydney.
He won 20 games over three seasons as senior coach but when the club decided to part ways with him, he still had two years to run on his contract. It was a decision that stunned the industry.
As coach of the Bulldogs he developed a great list of young players with Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Nathan Hrovat, Jake Stringer, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Jordan Roughead all developing well under McCartney.
Melbourne will benefit from his experience with Simon Goodwin poised to take over as senior coach from Paul Roos at the end of 2016.
Roos' confidant and respected assistant coach George Stone resigned last week after a lifetime in the game.
"Brendan will work in development for the next two seasons before moving into a mentor and management role in line with Simon Goodwin’s first season as senior coach for the 2017 season," Mahoney said.
"Simon has previously worked with Brendan while at Essendon and identified him as the ideal candidate for that role to assist his transition into senior coaching.
"Following George Stone's retirement, Brendan provides almost 20 years of experience to the coaching group."
The Demons are beginning to assemble a breadth of young talent and have picks No.2 and No.3 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft.
