Final Demon pillar topples

Tim Harrington is leaving the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE'S administrative overhaul has now claimed every position of power at the club, after list manager Tim Harrington was made redundant.

The Herald Sun understands Harrington was told of the decision yesterday, coinciding with an internal announcement that the position of football manager Josh Mahoney would be publicly advertised.

Harrington will be the fall guy for many of last year's controversial recruits, including David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies, although he was overruled on some of those by then coach Mark Neeld.

Coaching legend David Parkin often talks about the five pillars of a football club, including the coach, president, chief executive and the recruiter.

Since April 9, chief executive Cameron Schwab has been sacked, president Don McLardy has stood down, Neeld has been sacked and Mahoney told he will have to apply for the new head of football position.

Recruiter Jason Taylor is under pressure and former North Melbourne official Harrington will leave immediately.

He was on staff rather than a long-term contract, so the decision will not force the club into another costly exit after the $600,000 Neeld payout.

Harrington, who was elevated from football manager to list manager at North in 2007, crossed to Melbourne in 2009.

But, while there have been some value picks, the Demons have been condemned for not developing youngsters and wasting high picks on players who did not deserve that status.

They also paid huge sums for key forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, with both injury-prone since arriving.

Former Cat Byrnes was able to secure a two-year deal and battling former North Melbourne defender Cameron Pedersen has a three-year deal.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson confirmed Harrington's departure last night. "Tim's departure is not performance related. It reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of the structure," he said.

"Tim has worked diligently in his role for more than four years at the club, and I'm certain he will find another productive role in the AFL industry."

Jackson has already foreshadowed a new head of football position, with Mahoney virtually no chance of filling that role.

Jackson confirmed on Saturday he had approached several big names to fill the head of football role.

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