Nothing sinister: Viney
Todd Viney says the conclusions being reached over his decision to name skipper Brad Green as the sub are overplayed
TODD Viney is confident Brad Green will remain a Demon next year despite criticism over his decision to use the captain as a substitute in Sunday's loss to Richmond.
Green became the first AFL captain to carry the green vest but had an instant impact when he came on in the second half.
The decision was widely criticised, with some suggestions that Green would move on at the end of the season, but Viney said that was an overreaction.
"The only murmurings have been through some sinister media work, that because he's played as a sub, that is the end of Brad Green. That is a load of rubbish," Viney said.
"He's been in conversations with Bails (former coach Dean Bailey) throughout the year, I've had conversations with him last week. We'll continue to have those conversations with him and work out where he wants to go and what he wants to do but I presume he will be with the Melbourne footy club next year."
Viney said Green played his role well and approached it with the attitude expected of a club leader.
"There's nothing sinister in it, he took it fantastically well and came on and could have won us the game. He got a goal straight up and had another three shots at goal," he said.
"He was fantastic on the bench, his attitude with the players was fantastic. Let's not overplay that because he started as a sub, that is the end of Brad Green. He's still got a lot of footy ahead of him."
As the Demons still search for a permanent replacement for Bailey, the latest name to be mentioned is St Kilda coach Ross Lyon on a possible five-year deal.
But Viney said he would have no say in who held the position next year.
"I'm not part of this committee. I'm going to keep getting asked every week about a different coach. He is an outstanding coach obviously," he said.
"He is in contract I believe, the coaching committee will work through that but he is a fantastic coach."
The Demons will be forced to make at least two changes this week with Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey both accepting suspensions.
Viney floated Tom McNamara, Tom McDonald and Jack Fitzpatrick as possible replacements.
Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby