Retired Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney has lashed former coach Mark Neeld, accusing him of lying on national television.
Moloney launched the scathing attack in response to Neeld's recollection of how skipper Brad Green was dumped in favour of Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove in 2012.
Neeld told Fox Footy's Open Mike on Tuesday night that Green had been replaced after an exhaustive consultation with the players.
Not so, according to Moloney.
"There was no leadership vote ... it was picked by coaches and (chief executive) Cam Schwab," Moloney wrote in a fiery Instagram post on Wednesday.
"It was part of their big five-year plan. How can you sit there on national television and lie through your teeth?
"This is your chance to redeem yourself and say you made a few mistakes.
"It really just shows the type of character we were dealing with!"
Green was a little more measured in his rebuttal.
"Open Mike with Mark Neeld #pinocchio," he tweeted with an accompanying emoji of a face with a long nose.
The old wounds from one of the darkest periods in the club's history were re-opened at an inopportune time with the Demons about to embark on their first finals campaign since 2006.
Green captained the club in 2011 but was stripped of the role by Neeld in his first year in charge in favour of Grimes and Trengove, who were 22 and 20 respectively.
Neeld, who was sacked after five wins from 33 games, asserted the decision was driven by the players.
"I wouldn't say that he was dumped," Neeld said.
"I think that all leadership positions were open ... Brad was aware of that.
"The information or discussions that I had with Brad were that that sat well with him ... that they were all open.
"He just wanted to see how his teammates rated his behaviours."
Neither Green nor Moloney, who was a vice-captain in 2011, were included in the leadership group in 2012.
Green retired at the end of the 2012 season and Moloney departed for Brisbane where he played for a further two seasons.
Neeld was sacked halfway through the 2013 campaign after the Demons managed one win from their first 11 games.
He would eventually join Essendon as a development coach under James Hird before taking up a more senior role as John Worsfold's right-hand man after he replaced Hird late in 2015.
Neeld was fired this year after the Bombers lurched to a 2-6 start to the season, the team going on to finish 11th with a 12-10 record.
