Melbourne Demons Part Ways with CEO Paul Guerra in Mid-Season Bombshell

The Melbourne Football Club has sent shockwaves through the AFL community today by parting ways with CEO Paul Guerra after just seven months in the role.

The decision, confirmed on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, comes despite a revitalised Demons side sitting fourth on the ladder with a 5-2 record under first-year coach Steven King.

Guerra, the former head of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was appointed exactly one year ago today but officially commenced his tenure in September 2025. His departure continues a period of significant administrative volatility for the club; President Steven Smith is currently the fourth person to lead the board in the last six years.

Veteran administrator Brian Cook is set to step in as interim CEO. Cook, a highly respected figure who recently served as CEO of Carlton and previously led Geelong and West Coast, returns to the club where he played four VFL games to provide much-needed stability.

Potential Successors and Market Speculation

The vacancy has immediately sparked speculation regarding high-calibre sport executives capable of navigating the complex cultural and commercial landscape at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Names currently circulating in the industry include:

• Nick Ryan: Current Chief Operating Officer at Essendon. Ryan’s background as a former Supercars team principal gives him a unique blend of high-performance technical knowledge and football operations expertise.
• Marcus King: Geelong’s Commercial Boss, highly regarded for his ability to drive blue-chip partnerships—a critical skill as the Demons continue to negotiate their permanent training base at Caulfield Racecourse.
• Justin Rodski: The Melbourne Storm CEO remains a “gold standard” candidate, though he is reportedly locked into a long-term deal with Chairman Matthew Tripp.
• Kelly Ryan: The former CEO of Netball Australia and AFL executive remains a respected figure, though she is not currently active in a front-office sporting role.

Leadership and Governance

The decision to move on from Guerra was ratified by the Melbourne Board of Directors, which underwent its own transition in December when Steven Smith took over the presidency from Brad Green. The board now faces the mechanical necessity of appointing a leader who can maintain the momentum of the season while repairing the internal culture.

Melbourne Football Club Board of Directors:

• Steven Smith – President
• Geoff Porz – Vice President
• Sally Freeman – Vice President
• Brad Green
• Angela Williams
• Sarah Robinson
• Chris Barlow
• Dan Taylor

The Demons are expected to provide further clarity on the reasons for the sacking later today as they prepare for a massive top-four clash against Sydney at the SCG this Sunday.

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