Open Letter to the MFC

[Demonland 71,111]

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.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.

Feel free to write your own open letters here  

 

[Cranky Franky 2,011]

Mostly agree with this.  If Pert is effectively in charge of the review it is highly unlikely to critically look at he (Pert's) role & how he operates & any impact this could have on the Club.

[Clintosaurus 7,808]

Would not say this is helpful

[leave it to deever 17,506]

All isn't well.

Either the media has for some reason invented an agenda or some of the reports are true.

Every week it's a a new report of discontent from someone.

Gus and Anb were out of our control but the whole Tracca and now Oliver rumours are dominant.

We've heard reports about JV and JP too .

It hardly sounds like a destination club. 

I also think we need to address why we have ignored our fwd line issues for three years. Plus the people responsible for collecting other clubs hand me downs that haven't really added anything.

Perhaps it might be the time for a new coach. Goody deserves credit but his exclusion of Grundy and selecting of Laurie were big mistakes for me in a finals series we should have won.

2023 was ripe for us but those decisions didn't help.

Anyway maybe a review wouldn't hurt but I hope all the noise in the press is unfounded.

 

[BDA 22,688]

Since when have newspapers been publishing open letters from any clubs members? We really are the gift that keeps on giving.

[Supreme_Demon 3,714]

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

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.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.

Feel free to write your own open letters here  

 

Pretty succinct.

My own open letter would be pretty similar.

An independent review needs to be independent. Otherwise, it is pointless.

Gonna be one hell of a tense event at the Melbourne Best & Fairest on Friday night!

Hopefully Clayton Oliver shows up!

Christian Petracca sending a brief video message from Europe would be nice too. If he has time to do 2 or 3 minute Tik-Tok videos for cooking he could send a quick friendly message to Melbourne supporters at the Best & Fairest.

I think President Brad Green and CEO Gary Pert will need to be upfront, honest and forthright with their explanations of what is actually happening at the Melbourne Football Club if they give speeches at the Best & Fairest. Whether that actually happens or not....we shall wait and see?!

[rjay 24,809]

I can't disagree with the open letter.

They say the fish rots at the head, so why is the head reviewing the rot.

[Superunknown 4,210]

Mine goes further than this but similar themes 

sent to Roffey after the Gus assault - no response after canvassing some serious issues 

resending to Pert / membership 

[Swooper Northey 494]

To the Board, Management, and Staff of the Melbourne Football Club,

As a long-standing supporter, I am compelled to address the ongoing issues plaguing our club. The Melbourne Football Club, with its storied history and loyal fan base, finds itself in a state of perpetual crisis that demands immediate attention and action.

The current situation is untenable. Our club has lost control of its narrative, constantly reacting to leaks and rumours instead of telling its own story. Media outlets have revelled in negative reporting about our club, creating a toxic atmosphere that affects us all. If I never consume a Tom Morris or Sam McClure report again, it will be too soon.

Discontent among our leading players is becoming increasingly apparent. Unresolved board issues and questions about club culture continue to fester, casting doubt on our leadership and direction. The constant stream of speculative reporting and sensationalised stories is eroding the club's stability and reputation.

Perhaps most concerning is the club's silence on these matters. This silence simply creates an information vacuum, and at the moment, that vacuum is being filled by everyone other than the club itself. This allows rumours and speculation to run rampant, further damaging our image and unity.

This cycle of negativity is not only exhausting for supporters but must also be detrimental to the club's future prospects.

It's time for the Melbourne Football Club to take decisive action. We need to confront these issues openly and honestly, without resorting to spin or obfuscation. The club must implement a clear, proactive strategy to regain control of its narrative. Player concerns need to be addressed head-on, fostering a culture of trust and open dialogue. Board-level conflicts must be resolved, and the club's vision and values clearly articulated. Most importantly, we need to see a concrete plan to improve club culture and on-field performance.

Kicking the can down the road on festering issues only makes things worse. The Melbourne Football Club has the potential to be a force both on and off the field. However, this potential can only be realised through strong leadership, transparency, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of our current problems.

As supporters, this endless state of negativity pains us deeply and we demand better. Remember, you're not just managing a football club; you're custodians of a legacy that spans generations. Every supporter, every player who has worn the red and blue, and every future Demon deserves better than the current state of affairs.

Sincerely,

Swooper Northey
October 2024

[Axis of Bob 11,603]

Open letter written by a random member? Journalism!

I’m sure they’ll treat it with the full respect that open letters deserve. 

[demon3165 2,662]

Nothing like people who overrate their own self importance in a running of a club, threatening to not stay a member,  if they cannot have their way, it's very simple **** *** follow someone else for this to be out in a public forum is pretty pathetic from them.

[Antioch 232]

It amazes me how much power the news media has to influence our club leadership, players and members. People who have no love for MFC like Sam McLure, Gerard Whately and Kane Cornes amongst others in the media have done untold damage to our club over the past three years by promoting innuendo, rumours and manufactured nonsense. We need to band together like a strong family against the rest of the football world instead of internally bickering and destroying our own club because of this foolish external [censored]. 

Edited October 2 by Antioch
Addition

[rpfc 28,220]

17 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Open letter written by a random member? Journalism!

I’m sure they’ll treat it with the full respect that open letters deserve. 

Don’t remember the random nuffy letters from Pies fans or Tigers fans in their recent nadirs…

…

Yes, I am aware they can’t write. Point stands.

[layzie 33,721]

Ricky Dunn if you are reading thank you for writing this letter. Very few will disagree, enough is enough.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,674]

Can someone find out if Ricky Dunn exists?

Sound like the reporter who wrote this letter has watched Talledega Nights recently and attached Dunn as the surname instead of Bobby.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,674]

9 minutes ago, Antioch said:

It amazes me how much power the news media has to influence our club leadership, players and members. People who have no love for MFC like Sam McLure, Gerard Whately and Kane Cornes amongst others in the media have done untold damage to our club over the past three years by promoting innuendo, rumours and manufactured nonsense. We need to band together like a strong family against the rest of the football world instead of internally bickering and destroying our own club because of this foolish external [censored]. 

To pick our players off and feed on the carcass.

 

[Clintosaurus 7,808]

8 minutes ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

To pick our players off and feed on the carcass.

 

Yep. Vermin all of them.

[rjay 24,809]

13 hours ago, Antioch said:

It amazes me how much power the news media has to influence our club leadership, players and members. People who have no love for MFC like Sam McLure, Gerard Whately and Kane Cornes amongst others in the media have done untold damage to our club over the past three years by promoting innuendo, rumours and manufactured nonsense. We need to band together like a strong family against the rest of the football world instead of internally bickering and destroying our own club because of this foolish external [censored]. 

Sorry, but we've brought this on ourselves.

Poor leadership from the top of the club (CEO & board) to let this spiral out of control.

McLure is a decent journalist and he doesn't have it in for the club, Whatley neither and whilst I don't think Kane has it in for us he is a professional s...stirrer.

Edit: actually McLure is a bit of a [censored], mixed up my Sam's, Edmund is the good Sam. The point still holds, it's not the media having it in for the club, the club needs to get it's act together...

Edited October 3 by rjay

[Demonstone 22,181]

My opening letter is "G", followed in turn by "e", "t" and "F".  You can guess the next five letters.

[Cranky Franky 2,011]

25 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

My opening letter is "G", followed in turn by "e", "t" and "F".  You can guess the next five letters.

Ferret ??

[Cranky Franky 2,011]

3 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Ferret ??

My bad. Did you mean Get Frost ? (as in Sam) to bolster our defence.

[DeeZone 9,535]

30 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

My opening letter is "G", followed in turn by "e", "t" and "F".  You can guess the next five letters.

I’m with you Ds 100%, there is an Agenda against MFC lead by the AFL media pack to break us down, I’m not into conspiracy theories but something keeps nagging at me that we should not accept all this focus and B S.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,121]

2 hours ago, Antioch said:

It amazes me how much power the news media has to influence our club leadership, players and members. People who have no love for MFC like Sam McLure, Gerard Whately and Kane Cornes amongst others in the media have done untold damage to our club over the past three years by promoting innuendo, rumours and manufactured nonsense. We need to band together like a strong family against the rest of the football world instead of internally bickering and destroying our own club because of this foolish external [censored]. 

Stop blaming the media for reporting on the clubs dysfunction and start blaming the club for being dysfunctional.

[Nascent 9,054]

Dear diary, mood... apathetic.

[KozzyCan 764]

8 hours ago, rpfc said:

Don’t remember the random nuffy letters from Pies fans or Tigers fans in their recent nadirs…

…

Yes, I am aware they can’t write. Point stands.

I'm sure if you dig a lttle you'll find some. For instance, Footy Classified interviewed a random Pies member who was pushing for a board spill in 2021.