Melbourne coach Todd Viney has lashed out at "sinister" media reports questioning the future of skipper Brad Green with the Demons.

Green became the first AFL captain to start a game sitting on the bench wearing the substitute's vest as Viney attempted to nurse the forward through the match despite a back problem.

Viney, who is caretaker coach following the sacking of Dean Bailey, says he has been having discussions as normal with the out-of-contract Green on the 30-year-old's playing future.

"The only murmurings have been through some sinister media work, that because he's played as a sub, that is the end of Brad Green," Viney said on Tuesday.

"That is a load of rubbish.

"He's been in conversations with 'Bails' (Bailey) throughout the year.

"I've had conversations with him last week. We'll continue to have those conversations with him and work out where he wants to go and what he wants to do.

"But I presume he will be with the Melbourne footy club next year."

Viney said there was nothing sinister in handing Green the sub's vest for Sunday's round-22 clash with Richmond at the MCG.

"He took it fantastically well and came on and could have won us the game," Viney said.

"He got a goal straight up and had another three shots at goal.

"He was fantastic on the bench, his attitude with the players was fantastic.

"Let's not overplay that because he started as a sub, that is the end of Brad Green.

"He's still got a lot of footy ahead of him."

Viney pointed out premiership trio Heath Shaw, Alan Didak (Collingwood) and Chance Bateman (Hawthorn) had been given the sub's vest in 2011.

The Demons have several in-form players in the wings as possible replacements for suspended pair Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey for Sunday's game against Gold Coast at the MCG, according to Viney.

Viney said Neville Jetta, Tom McNamara, Tom McDonald and Jack Fitzpatrick were pushing for senior selection.

Viney said he wasn't part of the committee chasing a coach for next season but admitted St Kilda's Ross Lyon would be a good fit if available.

The Demons have reportedly offered Lyon a five-year deal.

"The coaching committee will work through that but he is a fantastic coach," Viney said.

Viney also said he had no issue with a radio interview Demons assistant coach Brian Royal gave on Sunday when he declared Melbourne as certain winners, ahead of their seven-point loss to the Tigers.

The interview infuriated injured Richmond captain Chris Newman who immediately informed the Tigers players before they ran out.

"I expect our assistant coaches and players to be confident that we are going to win any game so I have no troubles with that," said Viney, who added he hadn't heard the interview.

"If Richmond are relying on that sort of stuff to motivate them, well all well and good."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes, vice-presidents Don McLardy and Guy Jalland and chief executive Cameron Schwab have been appointed to a panel, chaired by interim football director Garry Lyon, to select the club's next coach.

The five-man group will also consider other issues in relation to the appointment, including what resources and support staff will be provided to the new appointee.

No specific timeframe has been set.

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