A Melbourne Football Club member has written an open letter to newly appointed club president Brad Green demanding an “unbiased and transparent review” of the club in a bid to restore faith among disillusioned supporters.
Demons supporter Ricky Dunn expressed his deep disappointment with the club’s current direction, saying he would not renew his membership for the upcoming season.
“The current situation has left me and many fellow supporters feeling more disenchanted than ever. The lack of transparency and handling of recent issues have eroded our trust in the club’s leadership,” Dunn wrote to Green.
“My sole condition for renewing my membership is that the club’s review be conducted entirely independently of CEO Gary Pert and any members of the administration who have overseen operations in the past couple of years. An unbiased and transparent review is essential to restore faith among the supporters.”
The Demons’ 2024 season has been plagued with off-field drama, including last month, when president Kate Roffey abruptly quit her role and the board.
Roffey’s departure came amid the ongoing saga regarding star player Christian Petracca, who raised concerns about the club during his end-of-year review process. He was frustrated at the club after he believed club figures did not check in with him enough after he suffered life-threatening injuries during the King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Despite the club continuing to make headlines over its handling of Petracca, days before her departure Roffey revealed in an interview with SEN that she had not spoken to the star midfielder about his disgruntlement with the Demons, prompting widespread criticism.
Former Melbourne president Kate Roffey, pictured with chief executive Gary Pert, came under fire for her interview with Gerard Whateley on SEN.Credit: AFL Photos
In the wake of Roffey’s exit, Green, a board member and former player, was appointed as president and announced he would lead a review into the board.
On September 10 the club announced a second review, focussing on the operations and overarching environment of the AFL program, to be conducted by Green, Pert and former All Blacks manager Darren Shand.
“Darren is already familiar with our program, having spent time in the club earlier this year observing all elements of the men’s football program,” the club said in the announcement.
Dunn has raised concerns about the integrity of the reviews, arguing it is inappropriate for board members and club officials involved in past decisions to oversee their own evaluation.
“If they choose to be more transparent and Green and Pert remove themselves from this review, I’ll sign up again in a heartbeat. I still want the absolute best for the club. I love it,” he told this masthead.
“I just don’t really understand how you can have a review of what’s taken place when the person that’s been responsible for many of those decisions is a part of that review.”
The Demons are also dealing with speculation surrounding the future of four-time best-and-fairest winner Clayton Oliver, who met with Geelong on Tuesday.
Dunn said it was time for the club to face the music and address the internal issues appropriately.
“For me, and I think for nearly all fans, it’s just about transparency. I hold no ill feelings towards Brad Green for the decision he’s made. I assume that he’s acting in what he sees as the best interest of the club. But like absolutely any review out there, if it’s not independent, what’s the point in it?,” Dunn said.
“All I want is to feel that the money and the time I invest in the club is somewhat appreciated, recognised, and that they’re accountable for it, and I don’t feel at the moment they are accountable for it.”
The Melbourne Football Club has been contacted for comment.
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