Paul Roos endorses Glen Bartlett, reveals the last time he had contact with Simon Goodwin

Former Melbourne coach Paul Roos has strongly endorsed the character of ex-Dees president Glen Bartlett. Plus he touches on the last time he had contact with Simon Goodwin.

Simon Goodwin will address the media this morning. Picture: Michael Klein

Paul Roos has strongly endorsed former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett, likening his character to Sydney Swans icon Richard Colless.

Colless was Sydney’s president for 20 years and employed Roos as coach, as did Bartlett at Melbourne, where Roos coached for three years before handing the role to current coach Simon Goodwin.

Roos joined the Demons in 2013, when the club was at rock bottom, after meetings with Bartlett and then chief executive Peter Jackson.

“One of the reasons I went to Melbourne was obviously Peter Jackson, but Glen as well,’’ Roos said.

Paul Roos coached the Demons for three seasons.

“He’s real values-based, understands the role of the board, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“He was very strong on values and that’s why he and I aligned so quickly, and Peter, because when things aren’t going great, what can you hang your hat on? Bringing good people in, having a values-based system, holding people accountable…’’

Roos, who was one of the most respected voices in football, said Bartlett’s departure from the Demons in April, 2021, was “murky’’.

His comments come as Bartlett lifts the lid on the events that led to his sudden departure, just four rounds into the club’s premiership season in 2021.

“I’ve heard bits and pieces, but the only thing I could say about Glen is, when I was working with him, he was exceptional,’’ Roos said.

“He understood everything we were trying to do, and he was super supportive of me.

“Was he pushed, I don’t know, but in terms of my relationship with him, he’s just straight up, what you see is what you get, how can I help you, etc etc.

Glen Bartlett hugs Simon Goodwin after a win in 2018.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Richard Colless who was great and Glen Bartlett was amazing, Andrew Ireland, Peter Jackson, they’ve all been very good.

“I’ve seen a lot of people in footy who are there for the wrong reasons, he wasn’t one of them. He wasn’t there for his own ego, or for his own success. He was pretty much there to put the club on the right path.”

Roos said he last connected with his one-time understudy Goodwin after the 2021 grand final win over the Western Bulldogs via a text message.

“I texted him and said awesome, I texted all the players I coached, and it was great to hear from Goody, saying yes, mate, we got there, the vision we had was great,’’ Roos said.

“That was the last time, a couple of years ago.’’

GOODWIN RESPONDS TO SHOCK DEMONS REVELATIONS

Lauren Wood

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he will not give any “oxygen” to further claims surrounding concerns relating to his alleged behaviour in recent years.

Former president Glen Bartlett revealed he was told by AFL chairman Richard Goyder that Goodwin had been monitored by league boss Gillon McLachlan and club chief executive Gary Pert for “18 months” in early 2021.

But Goodwin - who spoke on Tuesday morning - refused to answer direct questions about whether he knew.

“With all due respect, I spoke about this two years ago and I said it was irrelevant to me back then and it’s irrelevant to me now,” he said.

“I’ve got more important things to worry about in terms of Brisbane’s stoppages, Lachie Neale, their potent forward line than talking about Glen Bartlett. I’m going to leave that there.”

Bartlett said he had pushed for hair testing of AFL executives and senior coaches, and resigned as club president soon after.

Goodwin would not be drawn on whether he supported hair testing.

“As I said, I’m not going to give it any oxygen at all,” he said.

“Any thought time, any energy. It’s irrelevant to me.”

Read the full report here

Originally published as Paul Roos endorses Glen Bartlett, reveals the last time he had contact with Simon Goodwin