Melbourne board candidate Steven Smith says he would smooth Demons’ ‘badly handled’ rifts and keep premiership window open

Melbourne board candidate Steven Smith says the “next six months are crucial” the harmonising the club on and off-field. He tells JAY CLARK how it would all come together.

Steven Smith (right) as MCC President. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Melbourne board candidate Steven Smith says he has plans to help reunite the club, address its cultural failings and capitalise on its three-year premiership window.

The highly-respected former MCC chairman and 203-game Demon on Thursday confirmed he would nominate for the club’s board and take over as president in 12 months, if elected.

Smith last month knocked back the club’s advances but changed his mind after interim president Brad Green ticked off a pre-planned overseas family holiday from May – July.

The successful property lawyer said the club could re-enter the premiership mix next season, but only if it faced up to the errors that had contributed to the Demons’ poor year on and off the field, including the botched handling of superstar midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

Simon Goodwin with Clayton Oliver. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I really want to be around to implement the review findings and basically provide some stability because the next six months is going to be so important to effectively reunite the club,” Smith told the Herald Sun.

“We need to include the groups which have been, to some extent, disengaged at the football club over a period of time, and make some changes from the reviews which will get us back to where we should be.

“For the actual playing group itself, I think the premiership window is another two or three years, and I’m excited about the phase beyond that.

“In ‘22, we had bad luck and injuries to Max (Gawn) and Jake Lever and then in ‘23 we just kicked badly, but this year has been different and some of those issues have been forced upon us, like Angus’ (Brayshaw’s) retirement, and, Joel Smith with his drug issues.

“And some of the others, like Christian and Clayton, were badly handled.”

Christian Petracca was unhappy with the club after his injury on King’s Birthday. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Smith, who has strong connections in the top offices of Australian sport after a 21-year stint at the Melbourne Cricket Club, said he had a lifelong passion for Melbourne, and was excited about the changes the twin reviews into the football department and board would bring.

Club great Nathan Jones and former Port Adelaide assistant Nathan Bassett are expected to join the coaching staff, with a strong focus on bedding down an effective game plan, and setting clear expectations for players.

Smith said the trade period had shown the Dees had to repair its culture and restore its reputation as a destination club.

“I love the place, it has been very important in my life,” Smith said.

“This year has been a really hard year for the footy club and that really hurts me.

“But footy clubs aren’t perfect, they make mistakes, and it can be a complex dynamic dealing with 40 young men who don’t always get it right either.

“So, we have got to learn from those mistakes, and I think the review will help us do that. The recommendations will make sure the mistakes don’t happen again.

Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver. Picture by Michael Klein

“What was clear from the trade period was that no one really wanted to come to us.

“We have to get back to being a destination club and that comes with restoring the culture. We are definitely still in the premiership window.

“At board level, we need to make sure we have the right people in the right positions to create that environment so the players and staff feel happy, safe and secure coming into work every day.”

Melbourne will endorse Smith, who previously served as a Melbourne director between 1990-1992, and 7-Eleven director Chris Barlow for its two board vacancies.

Smith said he would come back from the holiday feeling rejuvenated after a busy work period and was grateful for Green’s understanding and commitment as interim president during a tough time.

“I need the break,” he said. “I need to come back fired up because, if I am elected, the difference between being a director and being president is significant.

“Being president is almost a full-time job, and I want to come back refreshed.”

Originally published as Melbourne board candidate Steven Smith says he would smooth Demons’ ‘badly handled’ rifts and keep premiership window open