Joy caps amazing journey

FORMER Melbourne president Glen Bartlett said that witnessing the Demons premiership with Robbie Flower’s daughter, Danielle, in Perth was the perfect postscript to the club’s eightyear climb from rock bottom.

Bartlett moved aside as Melbourne president this year for Kate Roffey, having done his share of the heavy lifting alongside former chief executive Peter Jackson as the club cleared debt and resuscitated its reputation. While his withering assessment of the club’s onfield fortunes last season was contentious, Bartlett has stood by his determination to drive high standards.

The Demons board member said on Monday that witnessing the club’s triumph was made all the sweeter by watching the game alongside the family of late Melbourne legend Flower. “Across the country it means so much to so many people,” he said.

“I got to spend the game with Danielle Flower and Robbie’s son-in-law and there was just so much raw emotion. “I took them with us down on to the ground after the game and they spoke a lot about how Robbie would have been proud of this team. It was quite emotional.

“It was a dream for Danielle and her husband. They kept saying it was just a dream come true. All over the country people were so emotional and so grateful.

“To think what we were eight years ago to what we have become. I keep saying it’s

amazing the amount of good you can do when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

While Bartlett’s comments last year ruffled feathers within the club after he publicly demanded the players improve, he said it had come with a strong level of support for coach Simon Goodwin.

“There was a lot of support and a lot of feedback after that,” he said.

“We worked hard to get that support around him with Adem Yze and Mark Williams and we wanted to create the best for the playing list and football department.

“It might have seemed hard at the time, but it’s what leaders do and I will never apologise for being hard and clear.

“People asked if I was surprised we were here and winning a flag, but it was the plan all along.”