Dumped Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has found a new home at AFL club Melbourne.

The Demons pounced to secure McCartney as a development and strategy coach just a fortnight after he resigned at Whitten Oval.

The appointment is one for the long-term, with Demons’ coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin seeing McCartney as the ideal offsider and confidant for his tenure.

Goodwin was appointed in September as Paul Roos’ successor as head coach from 2017.

Demons football operations head Josh Mahoney suggested McCartney was a superb fit to nurture Melbourne’s young list.

“He has a proven record and reputation in developing players and his appointment adds valued experience to our development program,” he said.

McCartney and Goodwin worked together during Essendon’s 2011 season.

“Brendan will work in development for the next two seasons before moving into a mentor and management role in-line with Simon Goodwin’s first season as senior coach for the 2017 season,” Mahoney said.

McCartney has a distinguished record as a back-room coach, assisting Geelong coach Mark Thompson between 2000 and 2010, a period that yielded two flags and seven finals appearances.

He was named assistant coach of the year in 2010 by the AFL coaches association before moving to the Bombers, and the Bulldogs the following year.

Inheriting a team in decline, the 54-year-old’s three years in charge of the Bulldogs yielded 20 wins from 66 games – with 14th last season their highest ladder position.

McCartney, who declared himself a “sad man” in the messy break-up at Whitten Oval between club, captain and coach, now has a new project to look forward to.

Former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen, whose bombshell decision to seek a trade from the club was the catalyst for McCartney’s departure, finds himself in the orange of the GWS Giants.

The Bulldogs are still pondering who to replace McCartney with.

McCartney begins his new role with the Demons in February.