Four new additions to Dees’ coaching mix

MELBOURNE has added to its AFL coaching panel, welcoming three new names for the 2026 season.

Jared Rivers, Rory Atkins and Matthew Scarlett will all join Steven King’s coaching mix and don the red and blue next year.

A name familiar to Dees fans, Rivers returns to the club he called home for 10 seasons to take on an assistant coaching role, tasked with looking after the backline and team defence.

Rivers’ coaching CV includes five seasons at Collingwood between 2015 and 2019, three seasons at Collegians Football Club in the VAFA A Grade competition, and most recently, a stint at St Kilda.

Rivers played 150 games in the red and blue jumper – he totalled 194 AFL matches, having joined Geelong after his time at Melbourne – and was inducted as a Life Member of the club in 2015.

Melbourne GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said the club was thrilled to bring a favourite son home.

“It’s really exciting to welcome Jared back to the club in an assistant coaching capacity,” Richardson said.

“He has an incredibly strong understanding of the game and significant experience, having held coaching positions at the Pies, in the VAFA and with the Saints.

“We are excited by what Jared can add to our program, and look forward to welcoming him, his partner Sophie and their children Chloe, Charlotte and Isabella to the club.”

Atkins joins the Demons as a development coach, following a 13-year playing career.

The 31-year-old, who called time at season’s end having represented Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Adelaide throughout his journey, will work closely with new Head of Development Taylor Whitford in helping the club’s youth thrive.

“We’re looking forward to having Rory on board as part of our development team,” Richardson said.

“We think he will have an immediate impact, having only recently retired from the game, and provide some unique insights for our younger players.

“We’re excited to welcome Rory, his partner Georgia and their daughter Daisy to the red and blue.”

Scarlett is set to bring experience aplenty, with Melbourne adding the former Cat as a specialist coach in a part-time capacity.

The Geelong legend, who achieved the ultimate success on three occasions, will work with the Demons’ talls in honing their craft.

“We’re really excited to have someone of Scarlo’s calibre with us, to work with our talls,” Richardson said.

“Scarlo featured at the top level for 15 seasons, and for our players to be able to learn from him and have his assistance is pretty special.

“We look forward to Scarlo getting to work, and welcoming his partner Milla and children Tayla, Charlie, Oliver and Henry to the Dees.”

The trio will combine with Troy Chaplin and Nathan Jones, who continue in their respective roles of looking after the forwards and midfield, as well as part-time ruck specialist coach Mark Jamar.

Rhett McLennan, newly appointed senior coach of the Casey Demons, will further assist in the development space of the AFL program, while Riley Bonner and Dylan Roberton will continue their support of the VFL program.

Combat and grappling coach Max Viney, too, will return for the 2026 season.

Melbourne’s AFL pre-season is set to commence in November.

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