Feud between Melbourne Football Club and Glen Bartlett ends with confidential settlement

The long-running feud between the Melbourne Football Club and former president Glen Bartlett has finally ended.

Melbourne issued a statement on Thursday night, revealing that a confidential settlement had been reached.

Bartlett was appointed president of the club in 2013 and his tenure ended in April 2021.

In the past few years Bartlett has levelled several allegations about the club, its culture, and coach Simon Goodwin.

Accusations linking Goodwin and drug use were also raised and have been investigated.

The club says those allegations were “false and had no basis in fact”.

“These allegations have caused enormous hurt and pain for Simon and his family for which all parties are deeply sorry,” the club said in a statement.

The settlement comes a week after club CEO Gary Pert stood down.

In September president Kate Roffey, who took over from Bartlett, also walked away from the job.

Read the full statement

The Board of the Melbourne Football Club, Mr Glen Bartlett and Ms Victoria Laspas, are pleased to announce that all proceedings between them have been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. A confidential settlement has been entered into between the parties to avoid the costs of litigation for all.

Individual recollections and perspectives can differ and lead to many feeling aggrieved. The parties recognise that the last three years of dispute have been a difficult and stressful time for all and acknowledge that the matter could have been handled differently. All parties are sorry for the hurt that has been caused.

The Board acknowledges and thanks Glen for the important role he played as President, having overseen the resurgence in the Club’s fortunes. Glen focussed on cultural change including the development of the Club values, now known as “TRUE”, of Trust, Respect, Unity and Excellence which are reflective of values based leadership. Glen is proud of the improvements he introduced to the Club as President.

During the period in which Glen Bartlett was the Club’s President, serious allegations about Simon Goodwin’s use of illicit drugs were passed onto and duly investigated by the Club. It was found that the allegations were false and had no basis in fact. These allegations have caused enormous hurt and pain for Simon and his family for which all parties are deeply sorry.

This brings these matters to an end for all time. Simon Goodwin is a highly regarded and respected Demons premiership coach.

The Board and Mr Bartlett agree that focussing on the future of the Club and particularly the welfare of its people is the most important priority.

The Board and Glen look forward to the future including the continued success of the club.