Melbourne Demons president Kate Roffey quits after Petracca drama

Having initially pledged to see out her time as scheduled in 2025, the underfire president has instead opted to step down immediately.

Melbourne president Kate Roffey has decided to step down from her role effective immediately.

Roffey has been part of one of the most controversial periods in the AFL club’s history.

While the Demons snapped a 57-year premiership drought in 2021, her first year in the role, the years since have been plagued by controversy.

Watch Sydney v GWS Giants SAT 3:20PM AEST | LIVE & ad-break free during play, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Whispers of cultural issues have bubbled along in the years since, culminating in Christian Petracca’s high-profile wish for a trade to another AFL club.

Roffey was criticised after it came to light she had had little contact with Petracca following his horrific injury suffered in the King’s Birthday clash against Collingwood in June.

The club also faced heavy scrutiny after Petracca returned to the field following the heavy collision with Pies captain Darcy Moore.

Roffey initially intended to see out her role as president through to the end of 2025.

Roffey poses with the 2021 premiership cup. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Roffey with Dees coach Simon Goodwin after the 2021 grand final win. Photo by Michael Klein

But she has now made the call to step down immediately, with club great and former Melbourne skipper Brad Green to take over the position.

Roffey, who had been on the club’s board since 2013, expressed her appreciation to a number of figures during her time as president.

“As I finish up my incredible time with the Melbourne Football Club, I pass on my sincere thanks to all those who have supported me along the way,” she said in a statement released by the club.

“Fellow directors, CEO Gary Pert and the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes, our football department, in particular our head coaches Simon Goodwin and Mick Stinear, Footy Boss Alan Richardson and our members, yes – especially the Mighty Demon Army.

“And of course, to the men and women who play for the red and the blue – by far the most rewarding part of a president’s role is having the opportunity to know you all and share a hug.

“As always, I will be sitting in the stands cheering you on.

“My best goes to everyone for the ongoing success of the Mighty Dees!”

Roffey has been criticised in the wake of Christian Petracca’s injury. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Green, 43, stated he plans to hold the position in an interim role before a new president is voted on by the board.

“I have told my colleagues that I will lead the review process and once it is completed I would like to give the board the opportunity to vote again on the presidency,” he said.

“This will be a collaborative reset of the board and it’s important that we are honest with each other about where we have succeeded and where we could have done better.

“There is no doubt that we need to turn the faith and belief of our members and fans into results and performance and the board stands at the top of that process.

“We are united by a love for this footy club and I want to bring us all together as one red and blue force.”

Originally published as Melbourne Demons president Kate Roffey quits after Petracca drama