MELBOURNE has named a five-man committee, includingfour-time premiership coach David Parkin, to select its next senior coach. 

Along with Parkin, the only member of the group not alignedto the club, the panel consists of chief executive Peter Jackson, actinggeneral manager of football operations Josh Mahoney, general manager ofrecruitment and player development Todd Viney and club director Greg Healy.

Jackson, who has been named chairman, said “the committeehas been formed with the clear objective of securing the best coaching scenarioto take the Melbourne Football Club forward”.

“We intend to explore a range ofoptions including [former Adelaide coach and Melbourne interim coach]Neil Craig,” he said.

“The committee will determine the selection criteria and therecruitment process.

“Given the timing of the search, the club will respect theprotocols of the Coaches’ Association when approaching any candidate currentlyin contract with another club.”

The Demons are strongly pursuing 2005 Sydney Swanspremiership coach Paul Roos, but Craig remains a legitimate candidate.

Melbourne believes it has the right mix of people to makeits next coaching appointment. For example Viney has been appointed to thepanel, as he will represent the player development and interests of the team, whenselecting the next coach.

Jackson said it was also important to have a highlyqualified person, not associated with the club, as part of the selectionprocess. 

“In addition to the club personnel involved in thecommittee, we felt it important to include an external facilitator,” he said.

“David Parkin is an experienced and well credentialed formercoach and brings an independent perspective to the group.

“We are very pleased to have someone of David’s experienceand football knowledge as part of the selection process.”

The timing of the appointment will depend on the situationof the candidates.