Former Melbourne vice-president Geoff Freeman puts board challenge on hold

A meeting involving Melbourne interim president Brad Green was enough for Dees powerbroker Geoff Freeman to park his board challenge, for the time being. MICHAEL WARNER has the story.

Melbourne has convinced businessman and would-be board challenger Geoff Freeman that change is coming at the Demons.

Freeman met with interim president Brad Green and director Geoff Porz in South Yarra on Wednesday to discuss his concerns over the direction of the club.

The insurance industry heavyweight told the Herald Sun he left the meeting satisfied a series of issues that have plagued the Demons in recent seasons are set to be resolved.

“It was a very productive meeting and my intentions have been put on hold,” Freeman said.

“Brad and Geoff have acknowledged that things have not been great and will be adequately addressed in the short term.

“We agreed that we were all on the same page on what needs to be done.”

Geoff Freeman (left) and former chairman of the Demons Glen Bartlett. Picture: Getty Images

Star Collingwood recruit Dan Houston this week admitted he had baulked at a move to the Dees due to the club’s off-field turbulence.

Freeman said: “It’s disappointing to hear that we missed out an opportunity to bring in a player like Dan Houston because of the unrest.

“It’s obvious that the club needs to act now and make sure this stuff does not drag on into next season.”

Green, embattled Demons chief executive Gary Pert and former All Blacks manager Darren Shand have been conducting a review of the club’s football operations.

A separate assessment of the club’s board of directors has also taken place.

The findings will be discussed at a key Melbourne board meeting later this month.

Brad Green was involved in convincing Freeman to put his board challenge on hold. Picture: Michael Klein

The Demons have been embroiled in a long-running legal dispute with former president Glen Bartlett and a separate court stoush with board contender and finance expert Peter Lawrence.

Freeman, who is close to star midfielder Christian Petracca, last week revealed he was giving “serious consideration” to a run for president.

Kate Roffey, who replaced Bartlett in a boardroom coup in April 2021, walked away from the Dees last month.

Bartlett is suing Roffey, Green and a group of other past and present Melbourne directors as well as the AFL in relation to his sudden exit as president.

Pert has also been served with legal papers by Bartlett’s lawyers in recent weeks.

Freeman served as Melbourne vice-president from 2013-2019.