Demons eye ex-Freo chief for CEO role

Former Fremantle and Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich has emerged as a contender for the vacant Melbourne CEO role.

Rosich, who led the Dockers for 11 years and was pivotal in the poaching of Ross Lyon as coach, last year stepped away from the VRC after a four-year stint.

Now helping steer medical technology start-up BrainEye, Rosich has been shortlisted by the Demons as they continue their search for a replacement for former chief executive Gary Pert.

Pert departed Melbourne last year, but remains connected to the club in a consultancy role while a new training and administration base is established at Caulfield Racecourse.

His departure – announced in October – came after president Kate Roffey stepped down in September.

Former chief operating officer David Chippindall is serving as the club’s acting CEO.

Rosich would come with a wealth of football experience. Prior to becoming Fremantle CEO, he was that club’s general manager of commercial operations, while also serving as business operations manager with West Coast.

The Demons face a pivotal 2025 season as they look to bounce back from a 14th-placed finish in 2024 and a turbulent off-season in which stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver looked to leave the club.