INTERVIEWS have begun for Melbourne’s 2017 women’s coaches, with a star-studded five-person panel established to conduct the selection process.

Days out from the Women’s All-Stars match against the Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval, Melbourne have begun interviewing candidates for the role of senior coach and assistant coaches.

Women’s Football Operations Manager Debbie Lee, marquee player selection Daisy Pearce, Development and Strategy Coach Brendan McCartney and men’s Defensive Coach Jade Rawlings will sit on the panel with Football Operations Manager Josh Mahoney overseeing the process.

Lee says the widespread representation of the panel members from within the club will ensure the Demons leave no stone unturned in the search for senior and assistant coaches.

“The reason why the panel has got those people on it is because it’s a really good mix with the men’s footy department to find the type of character we would want integrated at our club.”

“We’ve got between 10 and 12 really strong candidates at the moment and that’s for head coach and line coaches.”

After three years holding the reins, Michelle Cowan will coach the red and blue against the Bulldogs on Saturday night for the final time. Cowan, who first coached Melbourne in 2013, has been signed by Fremantle as their inaugural senior female coach for next year.

Six of the eight clubs granted Women’s AFL licences have already announced their senior coaches, with Adelaide the only other club not to have made their selection official. Lee says Melbourne will not allow their selection to be hurried by the actions or processes of other teams.

“We’re quite comfortable with how we’re tracking,” says Lee. “Delaying the process has allowed us to look at further applicants within the industry.”

The Club is expected to announce the selection of senior and assistant coaches within a fortnight.