Glen Bartlett snubbed from farewell send-off for retired club bosses hosted by the AFL commission

Former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett was snubbed from a farewell send-off for retired club bosses hosted by the AFL commission.

Glen Bartlett and Simon Goodwin celebrate a win while working together at Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett was snubbed from a farewell send-off for retired club bosses hosted by the AFL commission on Monday night.

A who’s who of ex-club presidents including Eddie McGuire, Jeff Kennett, Peter Gordon and Tony Shepherd were honoured by the league in the Melbourne Cricket Club Long Room.

But Bartlett, who served as Demons president for more than nine years until his sudden departure two years ago, was not invited.

Bartlett is suing four Melbourne board members, including current club boss Kate Roffey, in the Federal Court for misleading and deceptive conduct and defamation.

He has also been critical of the AFL’s handling of the crisis surrounding coach Simon Goodwin over the summer of 2021 when the Demons board was considering standing him down over claims of serious behavioural issues and bullying.

Asked for an explanation on the Bartlett snub on Tuesday, an AFL spokesperson said:

“The AFL hosted a function for former club presidents who have delivered long-time (seven-plus years) service to their football clubs.

Glen Bartlett was snubbed from a key AFL event. Picture: AFL Media

“Considering Mr Bartlett’s on-going dispute with both the MFC and the AFL, he was not invited to the event, however, the AFL did write to Mr Bartlett earlier this year acknowledging his long-time service to the Melbourne Football Club and gifting the same additional AFL benefits provided to long-serving club presidents.”

Bartlett declined to comment.

AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder, new league chief executive Andrew Dillon and foundation commissioner Peter Scanlon spoke at the event.

“It was a very pleasant evening and nice to be recognised,” one former club chief said.

Retired Richmond president Peggy O’Neal was unable to attend due to interstate work commitments.

Melbourne has crashed out of the finals in straight sets in consecutive seasons since the Bartlett dispute erupted.

Two of the four board members he is suing – Steve Morris and Mohan Jesudason - stood down at the end of this season, which the club said was in accordance with “director term limits”.

Glen Bartlett and Simon Goodwin embrace after a win in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

Jesudason attended a crisis meeting with the AFL in February 2021 where Goyder and former chief executive Gillon McLachlan were briefed on a club investigation into the conduct of Goodwin.

Goodwin, who denies having any behavioural issues, has also lawyered up, engaging top Sydney defamation litigator Rebekah Giles, who has acted for Brittany Higgins and former attorney-general Christian Porter.

Court documents reveal the four Demons directors have already piled up more than $413,000 in legal fees.

WorkSafe Victoria last month revealed it had launched a probe into the Melbourne boardroom dispute.

Originally published as Glen Bartlett snubbed from farewell send-off for retired club bosses hosted by the AFL commission