Melbourne will stick with it’s long-term plan, says president Glen Barlett

MELBOURNE president Glen Bartlett says the club will stick with its long-term plans despite being “disappointed” by the Demons’ patchy form.

Paul Roos announcement as new Melbourne coach. New Melbourne Coach Paul Roos, CEO Peter Jackson and Melbourne President Glen Bartlett.

MELBOURNE president Glen Bartlett says the club will stick with its long-term plans despite being “frustrated” and “disappointed” by the Demons’ patchy form.

Bartlett said good wins this year over Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond had given fans a “window into what the boys are capable of”.

But he said members and fans had the right to feel frustrated by Sunday’s loss to 17th placed Carlton.

Bartlett told the Herald Sun the club would back in the succession plan that will see coach Paul Roos hand over to Simon Goodwin at the end of next season.

And the Dees will stand by their previously stated aim of playing finals next year — despite having only secured six win with two rounds to play in 2015.

“For members and fans, Sunday was really frustrating for everyone who loves the club and wants to see progress,” Bartlett said.

GET THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEW IN THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BELOW

“With wins against Collingwood and Geelong and even Richmond earlier, great wins, and so we got a bit of a window into what the boys are capable of, (so) it was very disappointing to come out in the first half (Sunday).

“There will be ups and downs with this journey, with a team evolving and with the onfield performance at the moment. But we can’t be distracted from where we are headed as a football club.

Simon Goodwin is the heir to coach Paul Roos at Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“To that end I’m very confident in the direction of our club.”

Melbourne had set a target of seven wins for this season — and must upset ladder leader Fremantle at Subiaco or beat GWS and an Etihad Stadium hoodoo stretching back to 2007 to achieve that aim.

“I know that supporters want results on the field and I understand their frustration — particularly when we can play the way we did against Collingwood and Geelong,” Bartlett said. “Clearly we would all like more wins on the board.”

“To have terrible patches like the first half on Sunday and last week is very disappointing.

“I think the frustrating thing is where you’ve got a team that is evolving like this you can get some inconsistency (of performance).”

But Bartlett said there would be no knee-jerk reactions.

“I think it is important to take a step back and look at the whole picture of the club,” he said.

“We’ll make a profit again this year, we have a clear strategy; we have strong leadership — very much a new board — and a strong executive management team led by (chief executive) Peter (Jackson).

“In terms of being on track, we know within the club the work that is being done, the leadership we’ve got, the coaching group we’ve got and I’m very confident in the direction.”

Bartlett said Roos and Goodwin were best placed to manage their transition next year.

“Roosy has done this before — did it with John Longmire in a seamless way at Sydney,” he said.

“Simon is a quality coach, a quality person and I’m sure that will be managed in the right way.”

Originally published as Melbourne will stick with it’s long-term plan, says president Glen Barlett