Former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld will return to the AFL, joining Essendon to head their player development.
The appointment was made a day after the Demons also appointed newly-departed Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney in a development and strategy role.
Neeld will report to football department boss Neil Craig, who succeeded him after he was sacked from the Demons in June last year.
The Bombers said Neeld will concentrate on working with their first- to third-year players.
“Through my years working in the football industry, I have had a strong passion to assist the development of young footballers and watch them strive to reach their potential,” Neeld said in a club statement.
“From what I can see, the club has a terrific young list and I am looking forward to working closely with the coaching panel to foster the progress of our players, particularly in the early stages of their career.”
Neeld was an assistant at Collingwood from 2008-11 before his unsuccessful two-year term at Melbourne.
Lroy
Guest
Neeld? Really?? LOL almost as good as Bucks getting an extension ha ha ha ha ha ha
langou
Roar Guru
Harvey and Neeld...the bombers are tanking already
BigAl
Guest
What's with the headline reference to 'Dons' ? - I haven't heard that used for decades. Is 'Bombers' that much on the nose these days ?
Macca
Guest
Now if Essendon retain Thompson they will have Thompson Neeld, Harvey and Craig all as former AFL Coaches now being "assistants" for wnat of a better word - is Hird really that bad or do they just know he is on limited time.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Observation only, but interesting to think that Mark Neeld has joined the club that gave him a 148-point hiding very early last year.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Essendon? Going from bad to worse. No position for Thompson,then appoint Harvey,Neeld.
Bob Gooch
Guest
Take Gary Lyon also. What a great duo Neeld and Lyon - go you good things !