Melbourne's new coach Mark Neeld has landed his first big-name recruit, St Kilda's fitness coach David Misson.

Misson's departure from St Kilda on Tuesday to become Melbourne's elite performance manager follows Saints senior coach Ross Lyon's exit last week to take over at Fremantle for the 2012 AFL season.

The Demons described Misson as one of Australia's best and most versatile fitness coaches.

The position of elite performance manager has never been more important at AFL level.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has been lavish in his praise of sports science director David Buttifant's role in the Magpies' premiership of 2010 and ongoing bid for another flag in 2011.

Misson worked with Sydney from 2001 to 2007, including the 2005 premiership.

Lyon, a former Swans assistant coach, lured Misson to St Kilda when Lyon took over as senior coach in 2008.

The pair helped guide the Saints to grand finals in 2009 and 2010.

"I'm thrilled with the appointment and I'm looking forward to working with him," Neeld said on Tuesday.

"He has an outstanding track record and is an outstanding person, with a skill set that will add plenty to the Melbourne Football Club."

Misson has also worked with the Australia cricket team and the Wallabies rugby squad.

"I'm really excited to be part of the new era at the Melbourne Football Club," Misson said.

"I'm looking forward to a lot of hard work that lies ahead of us at the Demons."

Former Collingwood assistant coach Neeld was officially unveiled as Melbourne's new coach on Saturday, the day after Lyon joined Fremantle.

Assistant coaches Scott West and Mark Williams and fitness manager Joel Hocking are departing the Demons.

Meanwhile, the Saints have appointed a coaching selection panel and specialist advisory group which includes former Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson.

The four-person selection panel consists of Saints chief Michael Nettlefold, head of football Chris Pelchen, club director and past player Nathan Burke and NSW Institute of Sport coaching manager of athlete and program services Clare Prideaux.

Prideaux is a former Hockeyroo.

The selection panel will be assisted by a specialist advisory group which includes Johnson, Coles managing director Ian McLeod, and Bluestone Edge Director Pippa Grange.

Saints assistant coach Peter Berbakov has also left the club.

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