PRESIDENT Glen Bartlett says the club is totally focused on its football and its people as it enters an important three-year strategy.
Bartlett said last year was all about setting the club up for the future, with a strong emphasis on making genuine progress in 2015.
“2014 was a year where we focused on stabilising the financial performance of the Club. The result was a $1.865m turnaround from the operating loss reported in 2013. There were a number of factors that contributed to our turnaround. Whilst this result is an important and significant step forward we will not rest until we find success on the field,” he said at Melbourne’s annual general meeting held at the MCG on Wednesday night.
“2014 has been a year where we have focused on laying the foundation for future success, both from an administrative and football perspective. We have taken some important steps in 2014, including the development of a comprehensive three-year strategy.
“Our focus remains on football, and it is the number one priority of our strategy – the football focus, closely followed by our focus on people. We have been able to attract some truly outstanding people to our club in the last two years and while a significant part of the journey is in front of us, we believe we have the right people in the right positions to take the club forward.”
Bartlett said “earning the respect of the football industry” was also paramount.
“On the field ... there were some positives to take out of the year despite the win-loss ratio. There was improvement in the defensive elements of the game, with points against and average losing margin both improving from 17th in 2013 to 12th in 2014,” he said.
“We also led in the last quarter of nine games in 2014 compared with only two in 2013, however only managed to convert four of these opportunities to wins. These statistics indicate the team is improving and that there is a foundation on which to build future success.
“It has been a busy pre season and I am delighted with the calibre of people we have been able to attract to the club. I’m also thrilled we could welcome Simon Goodwin and Brendan McCartney to our club.”
Bartlett acknowledged the sad loss of club great Robert Flower and former coach Dean Bailey, who both passed away last year.
“2014 sadly saw the passing of former club champion, Robbie Flower,” he said.
“Robbie played 272 games for the club between 1973 and 1987, winning a best and fairest in 1977, and is a member of the club’s Team of the Century and an inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Robbie captained the club for seven seasons, and also served the club in an administrative capacity as a director. We express our deepest sympathies to Robbie’s family.
“The football world also farewelled Dean Bailey in 2014. We pay tribute to the service he gave our club and extend our sympathies to his families also.”
Bartlett also officially welcomed two additional directors to the board: Steve Morris and Mohan Jesudason. Morris comes from a finance and stockbroking background and Jesudason has extensive experience in commercial marketing and gaming.
He also praised the efforts of former board members Peter Spargo and Russel Howcroft, who resigned in 2014.
Bartlett praised the sponsors, members and supporters for their loyalty to the club. He added that the Melbourne Cricket Club was “fundamental to our future and we are proud to be a sporting section of this great club”.
“I’d like to acknowledge our members and supporters. Not only did we see an increase in membership in 2014, but also in our home game attendances. Thank you for supporting our team week in, week out. We thank all our members for their generosity and ongoing support of our club,” he said.
