MELBOURNE has appointed Andrew Nichol as its backline development coach.

Nichol has been an assistant coach at Box Hill and recently worked at Scotch College.

The 36-year-old played three matches for Western Bulldogs in 1995.

Nicol made his AFL debut against Collingwood in round 12, 1995.

A key position player, he played in the Bulldogs reserves premiership team as a supplementary list player in 1994.

He was then drafted by the Dogs in the 1995 Pre-Season Draft (No.37 overall).

Nichol will join Jade Rawlings, who was recently appointed to head up Melbourne’s backline.

Former defensive coach Brian Royal will now oversee the midfield, with Aaron Greaves the development midfield coach.

And the recently retired Leigh Brown will coach the forward line, with Paul Satterley the development coach in attack.

On top of this group Melbourne has made significant appointments with senior coach Mark Neeld, director of sports performance Neil Craig and elite performance manager Dave Misson joining in recent weeks.

And Todd Viney, who stepped in as interim coach late last season, is now general manager of player development and strategy.