Gambling regulator continues to pore over secret AFL transcripts in Melbourne tanking probe

Victoria’s gambling regulator says it is continuing to pore over more than 80 pages of secret AFL transcripts surrounding the Melbourne Football Club tanking scandal, weeks after the club’s 2009 scheme to win less than five games was exposed.

A probe into the Melbourne Football Club’s tanking scandal continues.

Victoria’s gambling regulator says it is continuing to analyse more than 80 pages of secret AFL transcripts surrounding the Melbourne tanking scandal.

Explosive interviews by league investigators with Demons staff — published by the Herald Sun on April 4 — lift the lid on how the club conspired to win fewer than five games to secure a priority pick in the 2009 national draft.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation today confirmed its investigation into the contents of the tanking documents was ongoing.

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Dean Bailey coaching the club against St Kilda in 2009. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“The VCGLR is still considering media reports from earlier this month regarding the AFL and the Melbourne Football Club and will make further inquiries as required,” a spokesman said.

A government spokesman said: “As these matters are currently being considered by the commission it would be inappropriate to comment, however it is our expectation that this is done in a timely manner.”

State Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien tonight called for transparency over what took place at Melbourne.

“Footy fans deserve to know the truth about tanking, sports betting and the AFL,” he said.

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“This is too important to be swept under the carpet.

“The Andrews Government has the power to demand explanations from the AFL on issues of sports integrity.

“So why hasn’t it asked the questions that footy fans deserve the answer to?”

The 2012 tanking files published by the Herald Sun included a confession from 2009 coach Dean Bailey that the club conspired to lose matches, including “faking” injuries and slowing interchange rotations during matches.

Bailey, who was sacked by the Demons in 2011 and died after a battle with cancer in March 2014, detailed how he and other football department staff felt “threatened, bullied and harassed” by club bosses to ensure they lost matches.

Melbourne selected Tom Scully and Jack Trengove

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After winning just four games in 2009, the Demons were rewarded with the first two picks in that year’s national draft. They selected Tom Scully and Jack Trengove.

The AFL, which reaps tens of millions of dollars a year from with gambling operators, declared in February 2013 that its probe had found Melbourne did not deliberately set out to lose games.

Then-AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan stated: “I actually don’t know what the definition of tanking is … there was no tanking on match day.”

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