Melbourne’s board has blasted “unsubstantiated” and “outrageous” accusations levelled against Demons coach Simon Goodwin.
The Demons have released a statement slamming the latest media report in former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett’s long-running dispute with the club.
Melbourne have confirmed WorkSafe Victoria is investigating matters at the club. Bartlett suddenly stepped down as president in April 2021, and was replaced by Kate Roffey, and has been at war with the Demons since.
“The board of the Melbourne Football Club unequivocally refute the unsubstantiated, historical and outrageous accusations against Simon Goodwin and other club leaders as published in today’s (Wednesday) Herald Sun,” the statement read.
“The views expressed by Ms Laspas (Bartlett’s partner, Vicki) are her recollection of historical events and are in direct contrast with the recollections of the Melbourne Football Club Board.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“The board are unanimous and united in their support of Simon Goodwin and are dismayed that he and his family will need to again endure this attempt to undermine his outstanding reputation as a club leader.
“In regard to the Worksafe complaint made by Ms Laspas, the Club has responded to Worksafe’s requests for documentation.
“This includes providing documents and proof that contradict and refute claims made by Ms Laspas.
“Over the last two years, Mr Bartlett and his partner Ms Laspas have continued to make accusations about club leaders that are baseless.”
On the eve of the 2022 season, the Demons supported Goodwin after Bartlett’s concern over the coach’s alleged behaviour at, and out of, the club became public.
The documents about Goodwin were leaked just days before Melbourne were due to start defending their first premiership in 57 years.
Concussion issues force Crows winger Seedsman to retire
Adelaide winger Paul Seedsman has become the third AFL player in recent weeks forced into premature retirement because of concussion issues.
The 31-year-old has spent the last two years on the inactive list after suffering a head knock during pre-season training.
Seedsman had a career-best season in 2021 when he was included in the preliminary All-Australian squad and placed third in the Crows’ best-and-fairest award, but never played another game.
He joins Sydney defender Paddy McCartin and Hawthorn ruck Max Lynch in retiring due to concussion-related symptoms already in August.
“It’s always hard letting go of something you still want to do, and every part of me still wants to play,” Seedsman said.
“But I’ve had time to digest that I can’t and I’m comfortable with that, I don’t stew over ‘what ifs’, I try and look at getting myself healthy.
“I’ve been able to get back to enjoying watching footy again, and that’s what has also made this difficult because I see the club going in a strong direction, I’d love to help them get to the next stage, but now I will enjoy watching them for years to come.”
Seedsman bows out after 132 games across 13 seasons, starting with Collingwood in 2012.
He arrived at Adelaide in 2016, playing in the Crows’ three finals in 2017, including the grand final defeat to Richmond.
“Understandably it’s been a very difficult and at times frustrating period for Paul and his family following his injury,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
“But the way he has conducted himself speaks to the class of the person and footballer he is.”
Magpies forced into big changes for Lions blockbuster
Collingwood dynamos Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill will join captain Darcy Moore on the sidelines for the Magpies’ top-of-the-table blockbuster with the Brisbane Lions.
De Goey suffered a glute injury during the win over Geelong last week and won’t be risked with only two games to go before finals.
Hill left training early on Wednesday with a hamstring issue and will sit out Friday night’s match at a sold-out Marvel Stadium.
The Pies are already without superstar Nick Daicos (knee) until around the preliminary final weekend.
“There’s a risk-reward attached to this time of year, how much risk you’re willing to take on certain things,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae said.
“This is not the time we have to take as much risk as maybe potentially in a few weeks.
“We’re anticipating that he’d (De Goey) be right (for next week’s game against Essendon) but again, it’s a risk-reward situation.
Jordan De Goey. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
“I think if it was a grand final I’d be pushing hard for all to be playing.”
In better news for the Magpies, veteran Steele Sidebottom has been declared fit to play after being hampered by an ongoing foot issue that saw him miss against the Cats.
Defender John Noble has also pulled up well after struggling with an ankle issue in the second-half against Geelong.
With some forced changes, Collingwood have opted to hand a debut to defender Jakob Ryan, who was taken in last year’s draft at pick 28.
The Pies announced Ryan’s debut to the whole playing group out on the ground during training on Wednesday.
McRae confirmed Ryan would start in the 22 and would not be selected as the substitute. “It’s exciting to give someone an opportunity at this time of year,” McRae said.
“He gets it through reward and playing above the level in the VFL.”
Moore will miss the next two games with a hamstring strain after being subbed out against the Cats. But the star defender was running at training on Wednesday in a sign he will be right to go for the Magpies’ first final.
Collingwood can seal the minor premiership if they defeat the Lions, who go into the game second on the ladder and are two games behind the Pies.
Macca
Roar Rookie
You Collingwood fans always have to go personal
Bretto
Roar Rookie
No doubt your missus is glad your fingers do most of the talking.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Considering 75% of articles on this site are on Collingwood I say no deal.
Bretto
Roar Rookie
Got a challenge for you two: Macca - don't comment on Collingwood for the rest of the year. Just focus all your energy on Carlton. Pete - same for you with Carlton comments and focusing on the Pies. We could all do with the peace and quiet....
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Couldn’t care less about the McLelland trophy Shane, who actually does? The Pies resting a stack of players for the next couple of weeks would be like teams who had the luck to get the Eagles twice this year…an unfair advantage of 8 points and a stack of percentage. Charlie will win a Coleman on it! What did he get against the Eagles for both games? About 20 goals?
Shane
Roar Rookie
Good, rest players, lose the McClelland trophy and end up with no silverware in the cabinet.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Of course it must be the Pies extra training loads that no one else is possibly doing that has seen them lose to such terrible sides like Carlton (missing a number of their A grade players) and Hawthorn and only just squeeze past Port and Geelong in the past month. That is the only possible for such an elite team, who has been behind at 3/4 time in 17 of their last 34 games, to lose to anyone. Good to see that Fly still knows how to keep his cheerleaders happy.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Fly stated “if it was a grand final”, Hill, JDG, Moore would all be playing. I wouldn’t be surprised if they rest Noble, Murphy too and emergency in a couple. Makes sense to rest up. Pies finish top 2 regardless, take the rest now. Also clearly they have been loading players up with a hard training block during the week in the uncustomary losses to Carlton and Hawthorn. Funnily enough they did the same in preseason before the Hawks game. That’s why the Pies didn’t run the games out as they normally do. Seems a sound strategy now to tread quietly in the lead up.
Opps74
Roar Rookie
It's sad that players have to retire because of concussion, however, research is showing the long term effects of multiple concussions this has on the brain...we're talking 20 -30 year olds who have lots of living ahead of them...
Macca
Roar Rookie
Yeah maybe the AFL need to bring in a second week off between the season and the finals to prevent teams getting an unfair advantage. :laughing: :laughing: I have no doubt Ge Goey and Hill would be playing if there was something on the line for the Pies this week and they have clearly earned the right to rest up some bruised players to get them cherry ripe for finals but it does hand the Lions a real gift. It will be interesting to see how deep the Pies bat and, if they do lose their 3rd game in 4 weeks, whether hit has any impact on their momentum. Imagine if the Bombers still have a sniff at finals in the last round and are charging in with a full head of steam against a Pies side that has put the cue in the rack.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Marcus Adams, lions, also retired due to concussion issues.
EmU
Roar Rookie
The team with the best advantage now is Brisbane, as they are likely to finish top 2 and get a home game which they hardly ever loose (I can't see them losing to Port at home anyway). Whereas the pies if they play Melbourne pretty much have their home ground advantage eliminated. Brisbane's Finals run if they win this week looks easy all the way to the final (2 home games). even once they reach the final they will have the confidence to win it all.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pies “torn apart by injuries” also know as resting a few sore bodies in a game we don’t need to win. Personally, I’d prefer to finish second and potentially play Brisbane or Port at the G in the QF than Melbourne, likely to finish 4th. Great time to give a few sore blokes a well deserved rest. Ryan will be fun to watch. A flying half back looks a likely prospect in the Pies raid on SA talent.