NEW Melbourne president Glen Bartlett says he will offer a “steady hand” and provide a footy first mentally under his reign.  

Speaking at his first pre-match president’s function before Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at the MCG, Bartlett said it was imperative the club put the best football department in place.

“In the end, it’s about winning games,” he said.

Bartlett added Melbourne had a “softer culture” that could be changed. He harked back to his West Coast days, where he played four matches in 1987, as an example.

“We never thought Melbourne was soft when John Northey [was coach] and Rod Grinter and people like that were running around,” he said.

From a bigger picture point of view, Bartlett said his vision for Melbourne was to become “iconic” and the “club of the city”.

He also praised the efforts of directors Peter Spargo and John Trotter, chief executive Peter Jackson.

“We needed to get the best CEO in the business. We’ve got the best CEO for what we need to do,” Bartlett said of Jackson.

He also praised the way interim coach Neil Craig had handled his position, since taking over mid-season.

“Neil did not sign up to be caretaker coach. Thank you … for how you are going about it,” Bartlett said.