AFL 2022: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and chief executive Gary Pert address members forum

Gary Pert and Simon Goodwin have addressed Demons members for the first time since allegations of bullying emerged. Here’s what they said about the revelations.

Simon Goodwin hugs Christian Petracca after winning last year’s grand final. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne Chief Executive Gary Pert has defended an internal review that backed Simon Goodwin to remain as coach at the end of a disappointing 2020 season.

Pert was speaking for the first time since it was revealed by the Herald Sun that the Demons board had considered standing down Goodwin at the start of last year over allegations of ­serious behavioural issues and bullying.

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In a controlled members briefing on Wednesday night, Pert did not address any of the allegations against Goodwin nor take direct questions from members.

But he declared the club was standing by the process and review that he oversaw at the end of the 2020 season.

Demons president Kate Roffey with an emotional Goodwin after their win in Perth. Picture: Michael Klein

“Myself and the board signed off on (the review) so we stand by the process,” Pert said.

“We stand by the changes that were made and the difficult conversations that were had with the majority of people within the department and they took those conversations really well as a way of this is what is going to make us better.

“We also stand by the performance outcomes and changes we’ve seen since then.”

Goodwin also addressed members in the briefing but did not reference the Herald Sun’s bombshell report or leaked documents.

The reigning premiership coach instead presented his plans for a flag defence in the coming season alongside Demons general manager of football Alan Richardson.

Melbourne players rally around their coach Simon Goodwin after their grand final triumph.

Pert said the review process at the end of 2020 was conducted transparently and clearly to members and resulted in Goodwin remaining in his role as senior coach.

“At the end of the review we come out pretty clear about where we were at, we had a talented playing group,” Pert said.

“There was no doubt Simon Goodwin was the coach we wanted to keep on driving this program forward and I think he’ll keep on driving the program.”

The club chief also referenced the changes that had been made to the Demons’ medical team following the Herald Sun’s report former club head doctor Zeeshan Arain had been sacked just days after raising concerns about the club’s culture in a lengthy telephone conversation with Pert in October 2020.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and club boss Gary Pert addressed members during a controlled forum on Wednesday night. Picture: Michael Klein

The club chief also referenced the changes that had been made to the Demons’ medical team as a result of the review.

The Herald Sun reported last week former club head doctor Zeeshan Arain had been sacked just days after raising concerns about the club’s culture in a lengthy telephone conversation with Pert in October 2020. He subsequently sued the club for unfair dismissal.

Pert did not address Dr Arain’s position directly but said cuts had to be made to certain programs, citing the financial implications of Covid-19.

“That meant some people and programs had to go in every football department and we were no different,” Pert said.

“…There were changes to the medical team and a big part of the review come back was the best teams, the teams that performed consistently well over a long period of time are driven by great player leadership groups.”