FORMER Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab remains strongly in contention to return to the club that sacked him almost nine years ago following the withdrawal of Geelong's Stuart Fox.

Schwab is moving home to Melbourne this week after an emotional send-off from Fremantle and while the experienced football administrator had stated he had no ambition to return to a club position, he is expected to be interviewed by the Demons within days.

Although Melbourne's new Jim Stynes-led board remains determined to field as many candidates as possible, including the best available from all AFL clubs, Schwab's football credentials, the positive financial result he achieved at the Dockers and his close connections with the Demons make him an obvious choice.

Fox, who was the preferred candidate of the AFL and at least half of the old Melbourne board when the club interviewed for Steve Harris' replacement five months ago, was overlooked by former chairman Paul Gardner, who preferred Paul McNamee.

Stynes' board sacked McNamee two weeks ago, forcing the cash-strapped club into another hefty six-figure payout.

Fox was again placed on the Demons' shortlist but told the club two days ago he had chosen to remain at Geelong, where he was recently recontracted as the Cats' chief operating officer and deputy to Brian Cook.

Fox is also believed to have pulled out of contention for Port Adelaide's chief executive's position, although it is not known whether he will apply or be approached for the Gold Coast post Cook knocked back last month.

Schwab's availability is even more tantalising, given the fact that three clubs, including the yet-to-be-formed Gold Coast, are searching for a chief executive, while Richmond — where Schwab also served as chief executive — is seeking a replacement for football director Greg Miller. Although Schwab has been publicly linked to the Richmond position, he is far more likely to move to Melbourne.

■The Demons are on track to reap well in excess of $1 million at tonight's debt reduction function at Kensington, with more than the required 150 supporters pledging to pay the $1000 entry fee along with at least $5000 during the fund-raising night Jim Stynes devised to reduce the club's dangerously high debt of close to $4.7 million. Two supporters are believed to have pledged more than $100,000, with some insiders hopeful the function will raise up to $2m.