Ex-Melbourne president Glen Bartlett floated an all-staff drug-testing plan at the Demons

A Melbourne powerbroker feared the club’s reputation would suffer among supporters and media if it adopted a widespread drug testing regime described as “extreme”.

Melbourne discussed introducing illicit drug testing for all staff on the eve of its triumphant 2021 season, but chief executive Gary Pert warned the policy would trigger a mass exodus.

In emails seen by the Herald Sun, then-president Glen Bartlett pushed for the club to be a “leader” in the management of drug and alcohol issues, noting that all-staff testing policies were standard practice in other industries such as mining and aviation.

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But Mr Pert declared: “If that is the case, we will have staff at every level of the organisation wanting to leave, rather than risk being caught and sacked.”

Amid concerns about some staff’s behaviour at the club, Bartlett had proposed a tough regime, including hair tests, for all employees.

If the players were required to be drug-tested, then why not the leaders and role models within the club responsible for their care and wellbeing, the president argued.

Former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett wanted the club to be a leader in the management of drug and alcohol issues. Picture: AAP

Pert, in an email to Bartlett and fellow board member Mohan Jesudason on March 11, responded that he “totally” agreed “that the board and CEO should be open to random drug testing, including hair testing”.

“I think the executive, head coach and assistant coaches should be able to be target-tested if there is a specific concern by the board or CEO that their behaviour at work is in any way being affected by illicit drugs, including alcohol,” he added.

But Pert argued: “I don’t think we should have a specific policy around managers and staff, that relates to private time outside of work commitments.

“The reason for this, broad community statistics indicate that if you have a young workforce like us, if you were (to) hair test them, 50 per cent or more would test positive and if this is the case, what will we do regarding penalties and terminations?

“Who would do the testing, how much would it cost and what is the minimum acceptable level of the drugs you would be testing for, who would run the appeal program for those who felt unjustly treated?

“We would be the only club with a policy like this in Australian sport, which means we will come under scrutiny as to why we are going to such extreme lengths.

Melbourne CEO Gary Pert feared a staff exodus if a drug-testing policy was introduced. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I have no doubt some supporters and members of the media will directly tie this back to the fact the club must have a problem and the club is trying to stamp out illicit drug behaviour …

“We need to think about this policy very carefully on how wide-reaching it is, as I have no doubt that if we accept the community statistics, then that means there will be people in the club, like every organisation that are recreational drug users …

“Also, we will struggle to recruit new people into a culture that carries this policy even by non-drug users who find the policy intrusive and offensive, which many will.”

In a reply later that day, Bartlett told Pert it was “fundamental” the club strengthened its illicit drugs testing policy for all staff.

“Random testing has been around for decades now in corporate Australia, starting in the mining industry in WA – the roll out was contentious, including the BHP case, however it quickly became the accepted standard policy in the industry,” Bartlett said.

“If we are the first sporting club in Australia to take a stronger stance I actually think overall that is consistent with our values of trust, respect, unity and excellence, but I agree we need to take a cautious and well thought out approach with this.”

Emails show Bartlett had also become increasingly frustrated by the club’s human resources policies and procedures more broadly.

“Following the Collingwood ‘Do Better’ report, as discussed, it is necessary to urgently review all of our club policies,” Bartlett said in one exchange.

The game’s 850 players are the league’s only cohort subjected to regular illicit drug testing

Gillon McLachlan expressed frustration at Simon Goodwin’s actions.

‘Can’t be doing that s***’: Fed-up Gil blasts Goodwin behaviour

AFL supremo Gillon McLachlan described Simon Goodwin’s decision to drink and gamble with players as “crazy” in a crisis meeting about the coach’s behaviour.

McLachlan and league commission chairman Richard Goyder were briefed on allegations that Goodwin had some serious issues during an online meeting on the eve of the club’s 2021 premiership season.

The league chief executive and Goyder held talks with then Demons president Glen Bartlett and club director Mohan Jesudason on Tuesday, February 2.

McLachlan and Goyder were told two senior national business figures had recently contacted the club with information about Goodwin’s ­behaviour.

Bartlett said he was sick of receiving phone calls about Goodwin’s behaviour from people he trusted, not just in Melbourne but also in Adelaide and Sydney.

McLachlan acknowledged during the meeting that he had passed on information to Demons chief executive Gary Pert in late 2020 relating to alleged drinking and gambling by Goodwin at the Sorrento Hotel.

“I know for a fact your coach is out drinking with players at the Sorrento pub – are you crazy? That doesn’t work,” McLachlan said.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan at the 2021 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Simon Goodwin’s behaviour caused concerns at the Demons and AFL House. Picture: Michael Klein

“Hanging out with his players, drinking and betting – just the wrong behaviour. There has to be enough distance. You need to respect him and like him, don’t have to love him, but respect him. You can’t be doing that s**t. You have to make tough decisions. It doesn’t work.”

On February 10, Bartlett, accompanied by Pert, confronted Goodwin at the club’s Casey training base where the coach was informed of the allegations levelled against him, including workplace bullying, gambling, drinking and other issues.

Goodwin said Sorrento Hotel was his place to relax but flatly denied any significant behavioural problems.

The AFL did not comment on Monday night.

Originally published as Ex-Melbourne president Glen Bartlett floated an all-staff drug-testing plan at the Demons