Melbourne president Brad Green has told members the club will learn from the experiences of 2024 after they endorsed his plans by electing club-backed board candidates Stephen Smith, Sally Freeman, Angela Williams and Chris Barlow.
The result was an overwhelming show of support for Green’s plans for the club, with nearly 25 per cent of eligible members casting 8947 votes to elect the four directors.
Brad Green, now Demons president, after his last game for Melbourne in 2012.Credit: Joe Armao
Smith joins the board with plans to become president at the end of next year as the club revamps itself under Green, who took over from Kate Roffey in September.
Green said his approach to being president came from the heart and he was determined the club would be “honest, humble and authentic” as they strive to improve their connection with members and deliver on the objective of building a training and administration base at Caulfield under a new CEO, who will be appointed next year.
Green conceded 2024 was a tough year for Melbourne and said they had listened to members and other feedback as they worked towards becoming a club that made supporters feel proud to belong.
“Certain off-field issues could have managed [2024] better and we are committed to learning from these experiences,” Green said.
Christian Petracca hits the training track at Gosch’s Paddock after a rocky end to 2024Credit: Joe Armao
During the season it became clear club champion Christian Petracca was dissatisfied after he suffered a season-ending injury against Collingwood on King’s Birthday. Later in the year, four-time best and fairest winner Clayton Oliver met with Geelong after the club flirted with putting him up for trade.
Both players eventually resolved their issues and will continue in 2025 but CEO Gary Pert decided to finish up at the club. His decision came at the same time the club completed a review into the football department and its board.
Smith received 8363 votes in the election, Freeman 6833 votes, Williams 6276 votes, and Barlow 5934. Of those unelected, Peter Lawrence received 2178 votes, Tony Pagone 1953, Ron Gelberg 1181, Jo McCoy 1088 and Patrick Roseman 725 votes.
Freeman told the 200 members attending the AGM at the MCG that legal costs had a huge impact on the club’s financial result and said the board was focused on good governance to ensure such costs were not repeated.
The club plans to invest $15 million into its Caulfield project and will also launch a fundraising program to complement finance received from other potential funding sources. The club’s future fund will not be touched.
