Former Melbourne vice-president Geoff Freeman facilitating mediation between Glen Bartlett and the current Demons board
Mediation between Glen Bartlett and the current Melbourne board was recently held in Perth – and the man acting as the peacemaker has spoken out for the first time.
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Former Melbourne vice-president and insurance industry heavyweight Geoff Freeman has emerged as the peacemaker in the club’s bitter three-year war with former Dees boss Glen Bartlett.
Freeman played a role in facilitating mediation held in Perth two weeks ago.
Bartlett is suing four Demons directors, including current president Kate Roffey, for misleading and deceptive conduct and defamation in relation to his sudden exit in April 2021.
The private mediation is being conducted by a retired judge.
Freeman, who served under Bartlett on the Demons’ board, confirmed he had offered to play a role “several months ago” to help bring an end to the dispute.
“Like a lot of people, I am concerned about the way this is impacting on the club – dragging on the way it is,” Freeman said from France.
“I was asked to get involved to see if I could bring it to some kind of resolution by bringing the two parties together – to get them to the mediation table – and we’ve got them there.
“I was delighted to hear they met a week or so ago for the first time and that those discussions will continue.
“I have no idea what the outcome or the progress of those discussions are. It is highly-confidential and I don’t want to know. And you never know with these things, they could be too far apart with what they want to resolve.
“But I am desperately keen to see them work it out because it will be better for all concerned – the Melbourne footy club and Glen Bartlett.
“It needs to be sorted out.”
Melbourne will stage its annual general meeting on Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for WorkSafe Victoria, which launched its own probe into the boardroom dispute in August, said its “investigation is continuing.”
The Demons are facing separate Federal Court action from board challenger Peter Lawrence, who has accused the club of engaging in “oppressive” conduct towards “non-aligned” candidates.
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