AFL Premiership Players Join Demons Coaching PanelFriday, November 28, 2025 - 12:45 PM

AFL Premiership players Sam Butler and Sharrod Wellingham have joined Perth as the club beefs up its coaching depth in 2026.

A 2006 West Coast Eagles premiership defender, Sam Butler has been recruited as a Development Coach, while Wellingham, a flag  winner with Collingwood in 2010, has been lured to the Demons as a League Assistant.

Between them they have played 337 games and bring a wealth of football experience to support senior coach Mark Stone, who is preparing for his second full season in charge.

Another significant recruit is former Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Assistant Coach Michael Broadbridge.

After playing a combined 114 WAFL games with East Fremantle and Swan Districts, Broadbridge coached at AFL level before he coached Claremont for three seasons.

Broadbridge will be a League Assistant at the Demons.

Among the other coaching announcements are Matt Burgess as Reserves Coach, Trent Manzone as Development Coach and Pat Litherland, also a Development Coach.

The Perth league side is aiming to qualify for the finals for the second successive year after beating East Fremantle in this year’s Elimination Final.