Melbourne’s four endorsed directors voted onto board, Alan Richardson provides Clayton Oliver update

Melbourne has conceded Clayton Oliver’s struggles became more public than the club hoped but have backed the superstar midfielder to return to his best in 2025.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Clayton Oliver of the Demons runs laps during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on November 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Melbourne has begun an overhaul of its game plan for next season and brought in mindset master Ben Crowe to help reconnect the team after a turbulent year.

Coach Simon Goodwin said the Demons lost their on-field identity, missing finals in 2024 and were attempting to find “a new way” to conduct its offence, defence and contest operations next season.

It came as the four club-endorsed club directors were successful at the annual general meeting on Tuesday night, including new board members Steven Smith and Chris Barlow, and current directors Dr Angela Williams and Sally Freeman.

It means Smith, a former Melbourne Cricket Club chairman, will take over from Brad Green as new president when Smith returns from an overseas holiday next year.

Melbourne’s interim president Brad Green. Picture: Michael Klein

Goodwin said he had been “blown away” by superstar midfielder Christian Petracca at training since returning to the club after life-threatening injuries last season.

Melbourne had been one of the strongest defensive teams in the AFL in recent seasons, but Goodwin said the club had to go back to the drawing board.

“When you look at our method, the reality of it is right now we aren’t great at any phase of the game which means we haven’t got an identity,” Goodwin said.

“Our challenge is to explore a new way, a better way.

“We want every phase to create an identity that we are really proud of and that is really hard to play against.

“The best thing for Melbourne supporters for the past three or four years is when you rock up to the MCG you know what you are going to get.

“The thing that was most annoying this year and me as a coach as well, when you rocked up you were not quite sure what you were going to get.

“When we start this season we are going to start with a new way, a better way.”

The changes included securing club great Nathan Jones as midfield assistant coach and Nathan Bassett as new defensive coach.

As the Herald Sun revealed last month, versatile big man Harrison Petty will return to a key defensive position to start the season.

Crowe, who was central to Richmond’s three recent premierships, has already begun working with players and their team bond in a bid to return to premiership contention next season.

“We have got to love what we do,” Goodwin said.

“Expectation is one thing, but it is about how you get your days right. How you get your life right. How you get connected as a footy club.

“The things you need to work on from a mental perspective. These are things we need to focus on.”

Melbourne says it is happy with Clayton Oliver’s progress. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Football boss Alan Richardson addressed the futures of Petracca and Oliver, who explored moves out of the club at the end of the season.

Richardson said Oliver had responded well.

“We didn’t want it to become as public as it did. It was a challenging period for Clayton and a challenging period for the club.

“But we have had some great conversations on the back of that situation and I can say he is in a really good spot and we are excited to see him back.”

Artists' impression of the Melbourne Football Club plans for new headquarters at Caulfield racecourse.

The show of faith from the members was significant amid questions over the Demons’ ability to build a new $100 million headquarters at Caulfield Racecourse.

Speaking in front of a gathering of about 200 members at the MCG on Tuesday night, Green was adamant the team had a bright future but said the club must learn from the mistakes it made in 2024.

“I made it clear that 2024 was a tough year both on and off field,” Green said.

“I acknowledge the significant challenge we face, admitted certain off-field issues and we could have managed it better.

“We are committed to learning from these experiences.”

Green said the club had five clear priorities in 2025, including appointing a new chief executive, returning the AFL and AFLW teams to finals and securing approvals and funding for its proposed new home base at Caulfield Racecourse.

Originally published as Melbourne’s four endorsed directors voted onto board, Alan Richardson provides Clayton Oliver update