AFL
3 days ago
Demons president's unprecedented move amid horror start
By Andrew Slevison
The Demons were hapless in their 39-point loss to Essendon in Adelaide on Saturday night, slumping to five defeats in a row in 2025.
Following their 0-5 start, President Brad Green wrote an open letter to the club's members, acknowledging Melbourne's poor start and reassuring that the search for a new CEO has made significant progress.
"Dear Members," Green opened.
"I’m writing to acknowledge what has been a disappointing start to the season. Sitting at 0–5 isn’t the standard we expect of ourselves, and we know it’s frustrating, for our members, supporters, and everyone inside the club.
"What I can assure you of is that we have a determined group of players and coaches who will drive the team’s response.
"We saw during the third quarter of Saturday night’s match the style of game we want to play. If we can focus on delivering that style of play more consistently and effectively, keep training hard and sharpening our game, we’ll see better results. That’s the only way forward, and we must stay focused on improving.
"We also know there’s been a lot of external commentary about our performances – that is to be expected when we are not playing well. Our values – Trust, Respect, Unity, and Excellence – have guided us through difficult periods before, and we’ll rely on them again to return us to a club where you feel proud to belong.
"I want to thank our members for the role you play in helping the club through difficult times. We appreciate your passion and loyalty, and the support you provide our players and coaches is essential.
"Our next game is against Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday at 1:20pm. It’s a new opportunity to show what we’re made of. The players and coaches are determined to lift and give our fans a performance we can all be proud of.
"Off the field, our search for a new CEO is nearing its conclusion. We’re looking for someone who truly fits our long-term vision, and we look forward to sharing more news with you shortly.
"Thanks for staying with us. I look forward to seeing you at the MCG as we push for a better result.
"Go Dees!"
"TOTALLY UNWATCHABLE": THE PROBLEMS PLAGUING THE DEMONS
So far this year Simon Goodwin’s side has produced scores of 74, 66, 62, 46 and 57 at 61 points per game - the second fewest in the league only to West Coast - while conceding 100.6 points per game.
The defeat to the Bombers was the latest in a growing list of underwhelming performances, prompting Kane Cornes to state that the Dees are “totally unwatchable” given they just cannot score.
Cornes says the time is now for the club to begin a reshaping clean-out.
“11, 9, 8, 6 and 8 - that’s their goal tally across the first five weeks of the season,” Cornes said on SEN’s Fireball.
“This team is totally unwatchable. I think it’s time we need to talk a full clean-out, from coaches, assistants, list managers and some big-name players. You’ve got to rebuild around the promising kids.
“I think it’s the biggest storyline this year. The Demons are the biggest story this year, and their inability to solve this game style to the point where they are now an unwatchable team.
“That was a disaster in every way. The same problems again and again and again, against Essendon of all teams. They (the Demons) go into the season far in advance of Essendon in terms of where they are at with their list.
“They just can’t score.”
Co-host David King couldn’t work out how they battled to score despite getting the ball inside forward 50 so many times from centre bounce.
“I don’t understand how you can win 16 centre bounces and get one point,” said King.
“You’re going into 6v6 and I don’t care if you’ve got the six worst players in the comp you still should get something from 16 in there.
“It is a strange situation. The more you look at them, the more you think that nothing’s really changed for the last 60 games. Nothing forward of centre.
“It doesn’t even worry you anymore if you lose clearances to them.
“They’ve got real problems. It’s gone past having little chats and conversations.”
Cornes added: “How this club handles the next couple of weeks is going to be really interesting because they’re the biggest story of the year.”
It gets no easier for the 0-5 Dees who next host the in-form Fremantle at the MCG in Round 6.
They’ll then have some winnable fixtures against Richmond on Anzac Day Eve and West Coast in Round 8.
