IT'S AN uncomfortable position to be in when you are a player and you're summoned to a secret meeting with board members to discuss the coach.
It's disconcerting when board members begin canvassing the level of support a coach still has with players after match functions.
These events undermine the coach, club and playing group.
Both of these situations happened during my playing career and, the moment they did, the coach in question was on borrowed time.
When a club decides to sack a coach it's acknowledging it's in crisis.
When a club is in crisis you need strong leaders.
In 1993 the Kangaroos were in crisis when Wayne Schimmelbusch resigned as coach less than four weeks before the start of the season.
Similar to Melbourne's soul-destroying 186-point hiding, the Kangaroos were embarrassed by Adelaide by 147 points.
Like Dean Bailey, the loss to the Crows was the straw that broke the camels back for Schimmelbusch.
With no coach, a lack of direction, disgruntled board members, disharmony among some senior players, the club needed a leader who could galvanise the group quickly and begin the rebuild.
It was a desperate time that required drastic action.
The playing list was made up of a number of older players and a batch of promising youngsters.
The opportunity was tailor-made for a coach who had a ruthless approach, was uncompromising in every aspect of the game and who had a clear and well-articulated game plan.
Importantly the situation required the club to appoint a coach who wasn’t afraid to step on toes, make the tough calls and not be distracted by the fallout from those decisions or the people who were left behind.
Enter Denis Pagan.
Melbourne finds itself in a similar position to North Melbourne in 1993.
A club without a senior coach, a seriously ill president, a disconnection between players and some parts of the administration, trust issues, a young gun possibly bound for GWS and a list that seems to have stagnated.
There are some monumental decisions for those in charge of the club and favourite-son Garry Lyon.
Get the decisions right and history will say this was Melbourne's defining moment.
Get them wrong and they'll be consigning themselves for more mediocrity.
Prior to the 1993 season the last time North Melbourne played a final was in 1987.
Ironically, the Kangaroos lost to Melbourne by 118 points in the 1987 elimination final.
Under Pagan North Melbourne made the finals in his first year (1993) and in four short years the Kangaroos had won their third premiership.
Time away from the game effectively rules Denis out of the vacant coaching position.
However those responsible for establishing the selection committee who will ultimately identify the best candidate should at the very least speak with Pagan about the challenges ahead.
In fact, I'd take that a step further and seriously consider inviting Denis onto the committee to help with the selection process.
Pagan's experience and knowledge of the challenges facing a senior coach who takes charge of a club in crisis would be invaluable.
Denis led the Kangaroos in its time of need.
He ran an incredibly tight ship from a position of command and control with a healthy dose of intimidation.
He made no apologies for tough decisions, wasn't interested in anyone that didn't buy in and drove the group harder than anyone I know in football.
The results speak for themselves.
I didn't always agree with the way Denis got his messages across but his consistency, discipline, structure and driven approach turned immature boys into men and a team with potential into a very good team.
Melbourne has the same opportunity right now; a young list full of good kids but for a myriad of reasons one that hasn't fulfilled its true potential.
I believe, this current group of players and this club needs a mature coach with an ability to make difficult decisions in the best interests of the club without fear or failure.
Those in charge have a responsibility to the club, its members, players and sponsors.
Which is why the Demons should be making Mick Malthouse their No. 1 priority, irrespective of what Eddie McGuire or anyone else associated with Collingwood has to say.
Lets not forget Malthouse had a year to run on his contract with West Coast when he decided to accept McGuire's offer to coach the Magpies in 2000.
The Demon's on-field issues also need to be addressed immediately.
Melbourne should appoint Jack Trengove as captain for 2012.
Pagan chose a 21-year-old Wayne Carey to captain North Melbourne and he grew into the role and went on to become the club's greatest leader.
A consistent trait of successful coaches is their willingness to make significant list changes.
Malthouse made eleven changes at the end of last year's premiership.
Clint Bartram, Robert Campbell, Joel Macdonald and Michael Newton would be the first casualties of a list overhaul.
Cale Morton, Ricky Petterd, Matthew Bate, Jamie Bennell, Lynden Dunn and Addam Maric should be put on the table during trade week.
The Demons should also consider testing the waters during trade week with Colin Sylvia who, coincidentally, has been dropped this week.
For a player of his ability about to complete his eighth season, the gap between his best and worse is too far apart.
The final decision Melbourne must make to begin the process of rebuilding should be to demand an answer from Tom Scully.
In order to get on with the job, the Demons are well within their rights to have an answer one way or the other.
You are either in or your out and if your out the Demons should do what the Crows did with Phil Davis this week and ask him to pack his belongings immediately and move on.
Tough times demand tough decisions and only those with a genuine appetite for the fight should be kept.
It may feel like your swimming against the tide but with strong leadership, an uncompromising approach, a clear direction and a list willing to sacrifice everything in pursuit of success, this could be Melbourne's finest moment.
