Demons, AFL settle with Glen Bartlett, apologise to Simon Goodwin

Prominent litigation lawyer Leon Zwier has played a key role in mediation that has allowed former Melbourne Football Club president Glen Bartlett to reach a settlement in his long-running and disruptive defamation cases against the Demons and the AFL.

Bartlett and the AFL released a statement together on Friday, confirming that “following mediation, defamation proceedings launched by Mr Bartlett against the AFL have been withdrawn and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties”.

The Demons had announced late on Thursday night that the club and Bartlett had reached an agreement.

Then-Melbourne president Glen Bartlett (right) and coach Simon Goodwin in 2017. The club and Bartlett have settled and also apologised to the coach.Credit: AFL Photos

This masthead can reveal that Zwier, a partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, had been instrumental in the parties, including Bartlett’s partner Victoria Laspas, reaching common ground, according to a high-level source with knowledge of the situation who did not wish to comment publicly because of sensitivities in reaching the settlement.

Bartlett, who stood down from the Demons’ presidency in 2021 – a premiership year for the club – said he looked forward to again having a role in the AFL industry. He is one of eight nominees for three spots on the eight-member West Australian Football Commission.

“Victoria and I are very happy to resolve all legal disputes, and we would like to acknowledge the key role Andrew Dillon played in bringing the parties together to achieve a result through his leadership where we can now all focus on the future. I look forward to working with Andrew, his colleagues and the broader AFL community in the future,” Bartlett said.

In the statement, the AFL said it was “grateful for Mr Bartlett’s contribution to football through his eight years as president of the Melbourne Football Club, where he guided the club as it built the foundations for the Demons’ 2021 AFL premiership. The AFL also acknowledges the time and effort Glen and Victoria gave to the game during his time as president and acknowledges the contribution Glen has made to the game over 40 years in Western Australia and in Victoria and the role that Victoria played in supporting Glen during his time at Melbourne”.

Bartlett had launched defamation proceedings last month against the AFL through law firm Clayton Utz.

He launched legal proceedings against members of the Melbourne board in 2022. His defamation action related to statements made by the club about the end of Bartlett’s tenure as president in April 2021. The legal saga played out in the Western Australian Supreme Court and later the Federal Court.

In Thursday night’s joint statement with the Demons, Bartlett and the club conceded the “last three years of dispute have been a difficult and stressful time for all and acknowledge that the matter could have been handled differently. All parties are sorry for the hurt that has been caused”.

Goodwin during a Melbourne huddle in the round 24 clash between the Demons and the Magpies.Credit: AFL Photos

They also said unrelated allegations of illicit drug use by senior coach Simon Goodwin had been investigated by the club during Bartlett’s tenure as president and were found to be false and have no basis in fact.

“These allegations have caused enormous hurt and pain for Simon and his family for which all parties are deeply sorry. This brings these matters to an end for all time. Simon Goodwin is a highly regarded and respected Demons premiership coach,” the statement read.

The agreement to settle came a week after Gary Pert announced he would leave his role as the club’s CEO in December, and months after Kate Roffey’s departure as president.

Bartlett served as Demons’ president from 2013 to 2021, with the board stating it “acknowledges and thanks Glen for the important role he played as president, having overseen the resurgence in the club’s fortunes”.

The agreement ends the disruptive and unsettling period for the Demons that has marred the years following their drought breaking premiership in 2021.

The joint statement from Melbourne and Glen Bartlett:

The board of the Melbourne Football Club, Mr Glen Bartlett and Ms Victoria Laspas are pleased to announce that all proceedings between them have been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. A confidential settlement has been entered into between the parties to avoid the costs of litigation for all.

Individual recollections and perspectives can differ and lead to many feeling aggrieved. The parties recognise that the last three years of dispute have been a difficult and stressful time for all and acknowledge that the matter could have been handled differently. All parties are sorry for the hurt that has been caused.

The board acknowledges and thanks Glen for the important role he played as president, having overseen the resurgence in the club’s fortunes. Glen focused on cultural change including the development of the club values, now known as “TRUE”, of trust, respect, unity and excellence which are reflective of values-based leadership. Glen is proud of the improvements he introduced to the club as president.

During the period in which Glen Bartlett was the club’s president, serious allegations about Simon Goodwin’s use of illicit drugs were passed onto and duly investigated by the club. It was found that the allegations were false and had no basis in fact. These allegations have caused enormous hurt and pain for Simon and his family for which all parties are deeply sorry. This brings these matters to an end for all time. Simon Goodwin is a highly regarded and respected Demons premiership coach.

The board and Mr Bartlett agree that focusing on the future of the club and particularly the welfare of its people is the most important priority.

The board and Glen look forward to the future including the continued success of the club.

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