Melbourne chairman Glen Bartlett has made a bold statement in declaring the Demons top four material and foreshadowing changes to the football department.
Speaking to the Deeluded podcast, Bartlett also threw his support behind coach Simon Goodwin and hinted at replicating the likes of Richmond and Collingwood with the faith they showed in their coaches.
Bartlett also said that he is waiting on chief executive Gary Pert to hand down his internal review report before tinkering with the coaching department.
โSimon is contracted to coach us. Heโs the coach. I havenโt got the report yet, but I anticipate (other) changes coming out of the review.
โWeโre very mindful and environment as well where there are cuts, significant cuts, mental health issues, a lot of pressure.
โI believe it is actually getting around Simon and supporting him and getting the right people and making sure we are driving standards in a ruthless way across the club.โ
Despite choosing to stick with Goodwin, the Dees chairman warned that he wouldn't settle for mediocrity either.
โBut the expectation is I donโt want us to just make the numbers up, either.
โI think we have more capability than that. But itโs one thing to talk about it, itโs another thing to deliver it. And thereโs a lot of standards and stuff to address behind the scenes, and you guys will see the finished product.
โโฆI think weโve got a top four list, most people you talk to in footy ...top four to top six.โ
On the financial side of affairs, the club has been travelling steadily and is aiming to be debt-free by the end of 2020 despite the pandemic.
Bartlett has claimed that the Demons are one of the six "unassisted clubs" and possess the fourth best balance sheet in the AFL.
Clayton Oliver has been rumoured to be looking for a move away from the club, with David Teague looking to bring him to Carlton.
Glen Bartlett was quick to kill the noise around the 23-year-old, whilst also confirming the club's interest in Kangaroo forward Ben Brown.
โClarry will be playing for Melbourne,โ he said.
"We love Clayton Oliverโฆ I hope we can get Brown to the club, but at the end of the day, they (the list management team) make the call.
โI strongly believe weโre on the cusp, we need to steer the course, get through this review, make the right changes and full steam into 2021."
