MELBOURNE Football Club announced the appointment of Mark Neeld to the position of senior coach on Saturday, September 17.

Neeld signed a three year contract with the club on Friday evening.

The 40-year-old becomes the 27th coach of Melbourne.

He joins a lineage that includes Hall of Fame coaches Frank 'Checker' Hughes, Norm Smith and Ron Barassi.

Following four consecutive premierships with Ocean Grove, and after a three-year stint as coach of Western Jets in the TAC Cup, Neeld joined Collingwood in 2008, where he quickly earned a reputation as a highly respected assistant coach.

He initially coached Collingwood’s defence and then took over as midfield coach in its 2010 premiership year. Neeld has been senior assistant for the past two years.

Neeld played 74 AFL matches and kicked 36 AFL goals from 1990-96 with Geelong and Richmond.

A teacher by training, Neeld also held senior leadership positions and was head of physical education at Geelong College before embarking on a full-time coaching role at Collingwood.

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab said Neeld had forged a strong reputation as a senior coach in waiting. 

"Mark was heavily endorsed as a coach, in particular by [Collingwood coach] Michael Malthouse, as well as other respected people in the football system," he said.

"He is direct, strong, and has a clear view as to how he wants his team to play”.