PRESIDENT Glen Bartlett says there is a real “spring in the step” around the club, after a positive start to 2016.
Melbourne has won its opening two NAB Challenge matches against Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs respectively, but Bartlett said it was more than the wins that excited him.
“I am buoyed on by the signs I see from all around the club, not just the wins,” he said at Melbourne’s season launch dinner at the MCG on Wednesday night.
“I do want to take a moment to give credit to Peter Jackson, Paul Roos and their staff for the tremendous amount of work they’ve done to get the club to this point and deliver those signs.
“It’s not often you get acknowledgement from the AFL world, [but we did about] our club’s performance in the trade and draft period, which was certainly the feedback we received this year.
“The club launched its new logo back in November in a way that was innovative and strengthened our ties to the city of Melbourne and people took notice.”
Bartlett praised the recent appointments of Michelle Cowan, Daisy Pearce, Craig Jennings and Daniel Cross, plus Melbourne’s recruits over the off-season.
“Last year, on this night, I spoke about the great people that had come to our club and this year we’ve added even more,” he said.
“Two of our newest appointments at the club came to us via our women’s team. I’m very pleased Michelle Cowan has joined our coaching staff and Daisy Pearce in the administration area of the club.
“I’d also like to congratulate Josh [Mahoney] and his team for the pioneering work they are doing in how we educate our players, [with the appointment of] Craig Jennings to the coaching staff in the role of game analysis and education coordinator. And Crossy, who’s taken on a new role in the football department following his retirement from playing.
“We’ve added nine new players to our list and I think we’ve all been excited so far to see some of the contributions they are making to our club.”
Bartlett said that “whilst progress is being made, we won’t rest for even a minute”.
“The board is looking forward to the future of our club and making sure it will be sound, well into the future,” he said.
“Whilst there is still noise from time to time about our club, we’re not listening and we won’t be distracted.
“Our management team will work hard on the business of the club, our football staff and team will do what they need to do to win games of football, and our governance will be in the background ensuring the long-term success and stability of our club.
“I am personally more fiercely determined than ever to carry out our vision for the club. Bring on the season and go Melbourne.”
Melbourne greats Ron Barassi, Hassa Mann, Noel McMahen, Stan Alves, Geoff Case, Gary Hardeman, Frank Adams and Todd Viney were in attendance, along with former coach Neale Daniher.
