Dear Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you, along with your fellow Demon faithful, are excited for what promises to be a thrilling season ahead. If Tuesday night’s Season Launch and Hall of Fame celebration was any indication, there’s much to look forward to as we approach Round 1.

Tuesday was a special evening for the Melbourne Football Club, as we officially launched our 2025 campaign and honoured our newest Hall of Fame inductees. The night shone a spotlight on the rich history of our club and the remarkable individuals who have shaped it over the years. We were privileged to elevate the late Jim Stynes OAM and the late Jack Mueller to Legend status – both men truly embodied the Demon Spirit through their playing careers, leadership, and service to the community, and their impact on our legacy is immeasurable.

We also welcomed James McDonald and the late Fred Fanning into our Hall of Fame. Their dedication in the red and blue left a lasting impression, and it was wonderful to see James, his family and the families of Jim, Jack and Fred recognised on a special night for the club.

James and Fred are the first inductees since my former coach, Neale Daniher AO, joined the Hall of Fame in 2021. Neale has since been named the 2025 Australian of the Year – an achievement that speaks volumes about his ongoing commitment to inspiring so many. We took a moment on Tuesday to acknowledge Neale’s remarkable contributions, and it was a privilege to celebrate this milestone with the broader Melbourne family.

It was an incredibly special night, perfectly capturing our club’s purpose of being a place where our people feel proud to belong.

The night also launched our 2025 AFL season, with the men’s squad working tirelessly over the pre-season to return to finals footy this year. If you’ve attended our open sessions at Casey Fields or Gosch’s Paddock – or followed us online – you’ll have seen several exciting new faces who are complementing our experienced players. Their arrival brings fresh energy and, from what I can see, our supporters are already sharing that growing sense of anticipation.

I’d like to congratulate Max Gawn and Jack Viney, who will once again guide the club as Captain and Vice-Captain. Their focus remains on creating a high-performance environment where players not only hold each other accountable but also bring out the best in one another as they strive for lasting success. Both our AFL and AFLW leadership programs support our broader aim of identifying and developing future leaders, ensuring a supportive culture where players can thrive both on and off the field.

Demonstrating this commitment, I recently travelled to Perth for the 2025 Indigenous All-Stars match, where Steven May and Kozzy Pickett proudly represented their communities against Fremantle. Our coach, Simon Goodwin, joined the All-Stars coaching panel, and our Head of Development, Mark Williams, along with our Indigenous Projects Officer, Matthew Whelan, played key roles within the squad. Not only did Steven and Kozzy benefit, but our entire club gained valuable insights and connections through this experience.

Our AFLW program is also gearing up for its pre-season that will get underway in May, with new draftees Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, and Amelia Dethridge already making a strong impression on the group. Meanwhile, our list management team has secured contracts for a large contingent of players, ensuring our AFLW side is well-positioned to make its mark in finals once again.

At Board level, we are in the process of appointing a new CEO who embodies our values – Trust, Respect, Unity & Excellence – we are working with an Executive recruitment firm to secure the right person. We have spent time discussing the role with industry leaders, canvassing the market and are about to commence the formal interview process. 

On the commercial front, we’re delighted to have Grill’d join as a Major Partner for 2025. Their logo will feature on our AFL guernsey at the neckline and on the top back of our AFLW jumper. Earlier this week we also announced another exciting partnership with one of the world’s most recognisable brands LEGO, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of play materials, will add to the joy of the red and blue, showcasing its support across the club’s AFL and AFLW programs. This is in addition to MA Services who have recently committed to a long-term partnership with the club.

I’m also delighted to inform you about a new community partnership we’ve formed with the House of Darwin Foundation, in conjunction with our Jim Stynes Foundation. This exciting initiative – known as “Hoop Dreams” – will see us rejuvenate the local basketball court in Nyirripi, home to the Nyirripi Demons, some 460 kilometres out of Alice Springs. More than just a playing surface, this court is a central gathering spot for the community and refurbishing it will offer fresh opportunities for wellbeing and connection. Even more special, its mural design will feature on our 2026 Indigenous Guernsey, bringing the spirit of Nyirripi to the MCG. With Jack Viney and Kate Hore championing this cause, we’re reaffirming our long-standing dedication to the Northern Territory – and paying forward Jim’s legacy – by empowering young people and strengthening cultural ties through the power of sport.

We’re now only 18 days from the start of our AFL home-and-away season, and this year, Round 1 will hold special meaning. For the first time, we’ll host Jim’s Game – an annual fixture dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of the late Jim Stynes. Having just been elevated to Legend status, Jim played 264 games for Melbourne and left a profound impact on the club and beyond. This match will be a tribute to his extraordinary contributions and a chance for all of us to reflect on his enduring influence, while raising funds for the Jim Stynes Foundation.

In recent times we have worked hard to improve our engagement with members, making sure you feel proud to belong to this great club. The Board and I are committed to continuing open and proactive communication with you.

On behalf of the Board, I want to thank you for your unwavering loyalty. Let’s embrace 2025 with humility, optimism, and determination, honouring the TRUE spirit – Trust, Respect, Unity, and Excellence – that defines Melbourne. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and can’t wait to see what we achieve together.

See you at the ‘G, and as always – Go Dees!

Brad Green
President
Melbourne Football Club