Melbourne president Kate Roffey is the first domino to fall in the aftermath of the club’s Christian Petracca saga.
The club has confirmed Roffey’s shock exit with immediate effect, with Demons legend Brad Green to take over.
Roffey officially took over the presidency in 2021, the same year the club won a drought-breaking premiership.
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But since then the club has been rattled by unwanted headlines and questions about its culture.
It has also been bombarded by allegations from former president Glen Bartlett, the man Roffey replaced.
The latest scandal that rocked the Demons was sparked by Petracca, who was frustrated at the club after receiving life-threatening injuries that included a lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and four broken ribs.
As rumours swirled about Petracca and his desire to leave Melbourne (despite his hefty long-term contract), Roffey created headlines of her own when she appeared — in what was widely called a trainwreck interview — on radio.
In a strange attempt to hose down the Petracca situation, Roffey seemed to accuse the media.
She also claimed to be in regular contact with families of players but then admitted she hadn’t “spoken directly to Trac’s’ family for a while”.
That remark certainly raised eyebrows given it was widely known that Petracca had expressed feelings of isolation, and there had been murmurings that his family was unhappy with the club.
Roffey had one more year remaining on her term but was not expected to re-run or be re-elected.
She came under fire during the past 12 months or so for not being a strong presence.
“As I finish up my incredible time with the Melbourne Football Club, I pass on my sincere thanks to all those who have supported me along the way – fellow directors, CEO Gary Pert and the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes, our football department, in particular ourhead coaches Simon Goodwin and Mick Stinear, footy boss Alan Richardson, and our members, yes – especially the Mighty Demon Army,” Roffey said in a statement.
“To the families of our players, thank you!
“And of course, to the men and women who play for the red and the blue – by far the most rewarding part of a President’s role is having the opportunity to know you all and share a hug.
“As always, I will be sitting in the stands cheering you on.
“My best goes to everyone for the ongoing success of the Mighty Dees!”
Incoming president Green said he would lead a review of the board.
“I have told my colleagues that I will lead the review process and once it is completed I would like to give the board the opportunity to vote again on the presidency,” he said.
“This will be a collaborative reset of the board and it’s important that we are honest with each other about where we have succeeded, and where we could have done better.
“There is no doubt that we need to turn the faith and belief of our members and fans into results and performance, and the Board stands at the top of that process.
“We are united by a love for this footy club and I want to bring us all together as one red and blue force.”
