Melbourne captain Max Gawn says he had “no idea at all” about the club’s sacking of CEO Paul Guerra after just seven months in the role.

Demons president Steve Smith addressed the chief executive’s departure to media on Wednesday, with Guerra understood to be seeking legal action regarding his shock axing.

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Speaking on Triple M’s Mick in the Morning on Thursday, Gawn revealed he was caught off guard by his club’s move to part ways with Guerra.

“It was all just a bit too normal, wasn’t it? I didn’t know. It happened on my day off,” he said.

“This one did (happen without me knowing)! What I am extremely glad about is that I didn’t find out. I’m hoping it was a decision made over a couple of weeks, and it hadn’t leaked out (of the club).

“This is not reactive. I feel like the Melbourne Football Club in the last five years has been quite reactive to a scandal or a bad news story — this feels like the opposite. This seems preventive. We’re on the front foot.”

Guerra has been replaced by Dan Taylor, who was previously the CEO of Stan Entertainment and Stan Sport. His appointment marks the fifth Melbourne leadership departure in the past 18 months, with Guerra joining Gary Pert, Simon Goodwin, Brad Green (from President to board member) and Kate Roffey in vacating roles recently.

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Experienced AFL figure Brian Cook will act as the interim CEO in the months before Taylor enters the role.

“(I had) No idea at all. Paul comes and speaks to the players a lot… we’re a split football club because our football department is over at the MCG, and we’re at AAMI Park and Casey, so you don’t see them as much,” Gawn continued.

“Paul made himself very present. I got along with him quite well, and he helped me as a leader. So, it was something the players didn’t see coming…. Or the staff. Alan Richardson (Melbourne General Manager) was going for a walk around the tan that morning, so I don’t think anyone was really aware.”

The Demons have had a stunning start to their 2026 season, currently placed fourth after a 5-2 start under first-year coach Steven King.