AFL 2022: Follow all the pre-season news out of Melbourne

Melbourne president Kate Roffey has called on members to back in the board that the led the club to a drought-breaking premiership win last year,

The Demons have an upcoming election, with three current directors – David Robb, John Trotter and Sally Freeman – having to re-nominate for their positions.

Two additional candidates, John Condon and Peter Lawrence, are also seeking to join the board.

In an open letter to Melbourne members this week, Roffey said they would soon be asked to vote via a postal ballot.

She said the board’s key priority was to “maintain stability and full alignment right throughout the club to ensure a long period of sustained success.”

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“As your president, I am very confident that the current directors of the board collectively have the skills and attributes required to lead the club forward and build on the outstanding success of 2021, and as such I have asked David Robb, John Trotter and Sally Freeman to re-nominate,” Roffey wrote.

The Demons had a shock board change early last year during the club’s charge to its first flag since 1964.

Camera IconMelbourne president Kate Roffey with coach Simon Goodwin after the Demons’ drought-breaking premiership. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia

Glen Bartlett stepped down as Melbourne president in early 2021 for Roffey, having done his share of the heavy lifting alongside then chief executive Peter Jackson as the club cleared debt and resuscitated its reputation.

“A unified board that encompasses the skills and attributes necessary to fill all our directors’ duties and responsibilities, and that lives the values of trust, respect, unity and excellence is a critical part of this success,” Roffey wrote this week.

“To make sure we have the best possible board for the Melbourne Football Club, we have committed to an ongoing process of determining what skills, experience and other attributes we feel are collectively required in directors to continue to be a successful club both on and off the field.”

Members will vote in a postal ballot, which will cost the club around $150,000.

“We are aware that a postal ballot is far from ideal, both logistically and cost wise … however until our current constitution is updated, we require a ballot by post,” Roffey said.