Wonaeamirri delisted by Demons
Melbourne has delisted Austin Wonaeamirri, while new coach Mark Neeld says he can't guarantee Brad Green will remain as captain
AUSTIN Wonaeamirri's exciting and turbulent career at Melbourne has come to an end, with the enigmatic forward axed by the club.
New Demons coach Mark Neeld confirmed Wonaeamirri's departure on the final day of list lodgements on Monday morning.
Wonaeamirri played 31 games for the Demons since debuting in 2008. The talented forward battled fitness and homesickness issues in his time at the club and returned home to the Northern Territory in the middle of last season, just months after his father Matthew was killed in a car crash.
Wonaeamirri played just five games for Melbourne in 2011.
"You can read that when the list gets lodged this afternoon. Aussie won't be on that," Neeld said.
"I'm not certain if he'll get another go, that's hypothetical. In terms of whether it was a tough decision, to delist any player is a tough decision and you need to make sure you're doing the right thing."
Fresh from his first official training session as Melbourne coach, Neeld said he was impressed by what he saw.
More than 200 Melbourne fans turned out to watch their players in action, including recruit Mitch Clark, who ran by himself as he adjusts to a new program.
James Strauss and Jack Grimes also ran well after injury ruined their 2011 seasons.
"They are part of the rehab group but we're happy they're out on the track and they're able to get out there and participate. You would have also noticed the rehab group wasn't the traditional, get out and walk around," he said.
"They work themselves and their conditioning was fairly solid. Not as solid as the main group. They're not far away from joining the rest of the group which is pleasing."
And there is no certainty that captain Brad Green - who was not at Melbourne's training session as he is with the Australian International Rules team - will retain the role next season.
Neeld said the 2012 leadership group was yet to be determined.
"My stance on the leadership group is that I have taken over a blank canvass and I am not in a position to go to the CEO and the board and say right now 'these people should be captain or these people should be part of the leadership group'," he said.
"The reality is I don't know them. The leadership group and the captain will be announced in March. It will be determined by their behaviours and actions over the pre-season."
Neeld said Colin Sylvia had dealt well with Melbourne's decision to fine and suspend him for one game for a recent off-field incident.
Sylvia walked away from a car accident last week and failed to inform the club, earning himself a $5000 fine and a one-game suspension.
"From my point of view he hasn't had a couple of chances. That's the first thing I've had to deal with regarding Colin," Neeld said.
"We spoke with Colin and my message is elite level programs require elite level preparation and he didn't do that. That's the message."
Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au and melbournefc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby