CHAIRMAN Glen Bartlett says Melbourne’s desire to become a destination club was shown during the recent exchange period.

Speaking at Melbourne’s annual general meeting at the MCG on Thursday night, Bartlett said the club had set a goal to become a place that players wanted to join.

“Three years ago we set out to become a destination club and we saw the results of that during a very busy trade period,” he said.

“We were delighted to add four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis and former Essendon defender Michael Hibberd to the club. Being able to add two experienced players, with the character of Jordan and Michael, is due to the hard work undertaken by the football club in the past three years. We are excited to have them in the red and blue.

“I would also like to welcome Pat McKenna, who we secured during the trade period and the entire draft class of 2016, who recently joined the club following November’s National and Rookie Drafts.”

Bartlett said 2016 brought the club “intense excitement and a real sense of what’s to come”.

“It saw a number of our young men and women awarded for their contribution to the sport and for their work with the broader community. We saw great growth, development and improvement for our football club. We won 10 matches for the year,” he said.

“We had the most [NAB AFL Rising Star] nominees of any club, which highlights the exceptional young talent we have at our disposal. And in the words of our former coach Paul Roos, it was a ‘travesty’ that Jayden Hunt didn’t become our fifth nomination for the year.

“I think when reviewing 2016, it’s important to recognise all of the people who have contributed to our overall results.

“I would firstly like to acknowledge our members and supporters. We saw a record membership number of 39,255 and an increase in home game attendances of more than 18 per cent, which was the highest of any club this year. Our members and supporters are the life blood of our club and I would like to say thank you for getting behind the club and supporting us week in week out.

“This extends to the generosity and ongoing support of the First 18 members, the Foundation Heroes and Legends, and our Coterie members, who collectively raised more than $450k for the club during the year.”

Bartlett said Max Gawn’s All-Australian recognition and Jack Viney’s best and fairest win were significant, and he praised the key personnel in the club’s football department.

“In Simon Goodwin, we have a leader who is ready to coach AFL football. His drive and passion to make this club great is exciting for everyone involved,” he said.

“He is surrounded by trusted senior football figures in Josh Mahoney, Todd Viney, Brendan McCartney and Dave Misson and our supporters should take great confidence in the calibre and talent of the people in our football department that we are building the club on strong foundations.”

Bartlett also highlighted the achievements of three women at the club who had also made a big impact across the competition.

“We are incredibly proud of our pioneering position in the women’s game and I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution and dedication of our own Debbie Lee, who has been instrumental in the formation of the women’s competition – and to the professionalism and structure of our own women’s football program,” he said.

“To further highlight our hard-working staff, I would like to acknowledge two outstanding individuals, who were recognised for their significant contribution in 2016. Firstly our very own Daisy Pearce was the recipient of the AFL Football Woman of the Year Award, which she can now add to her long list of accolades.

“And then Jennifer Watt, our club’s General Manager of Marketing and Communications, was awarded the 2016 Graeme Samuel Scholarship. Jen was a deserving recipient of this prestigious scholarship and she joins a long list of outstanding administrators to have won the award.”

Bartlett thanked the board and staff for its tireless efforts throughout the year and acknowledged the contribution made by recently departed long-serving players Jack Grimes, Lynden Dunn and Chris Dawes.

“Jack Grimes leaves the club after 10 years of service and 100 AFL games. Jack is a much-respected figure and a former captain of the club and we wish him all the very best for the future,” he said.

“This also extends to Lynden Dunn, who finished his time at club this year. Lynden played 165 games for Melbourne and is a life member of the club.

“We also acknowledge Chris Dawes who leaves the game after 121 AFL games with Melbourne and Collingwood, including 50 for our club. I congratulate all of these players on their careers and thank them for their time and service to the club this year.”

Bartlett also paid respects to former players Trevor Johnson and Max Walker, who sadly passed away in 2016.

“We also pay our respects to four-time premiership player Trevor Johnson OAM and the great Max Walker, who both sadly passed away this year. We also extend our condolences to all we lost from the Melbourne Football Club family – we pay our respects to their loved ones and friends,” he said.