Simon Goodwin's family in 'enormous hurt and pain' as Demons settle with Glen Bartlett

The Melbourne Demons have revealed the "enormous hurt and pain" suffered by Simon Goodwin and his family after settling out of court with former president Glen Bartlett. The Demons, Bartlett and his partner Victoria Laspas released a joint statement on Thursday night after several weeks of mediation, and the AFL club moved to once again refute illicit drug allegations made about Goodwin.

Bartlett was president of Melbourne Football Club from 2013 to 2021, and initiated legal action against members of the board the following year. Thursday's announcement represents two major steps forward for the embattled AFL club after 12 months of turbulence on and off the field.

"The parties recognise that the last three years of dispute have been a difficult and stressful time for all and acknowledge that the matter could have been handled differently," the statement said of the confidential settlement. "All parties are sorry for the hurt that has been caused.

"The board acknowledges and thanks Glen for the important role he played as president ... Glen is proud of the improvements he introduced to the club as president."

The statement also addressed "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that were the centre of an investigation while Bartlett was president. "It was found that the allegations were false and had no basis in fact," the statement said.

"These allegations have caused enormous hurt and pain for Simon and his family for which all parties are deeply sorry. This brings these matters to an end for all time. Simon Goodwin is a highly regarded and respected Demons premiership coach."

Simon Goodwin continually denied ugly allegations

Speaking earlier this year, Goodwin lifted the lid on how the allegations and rumours have affected himself and his family. “I love my job, I love my family and I love coming to work every day and I’m not going to let articles which are false and essentially relating to a board dispute affect that,” he said.

“I’m not going to disappear down a hole because I love this job too much and I love this life too much. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been easy. There have been times when it has been terrible. (My reputation) has taken a hammering. It’s been tough on me, but it’s been tougher on my parents and my children and my brothers.”

Speaking to SEN radio last year, the coach said: “I’ve said this over a three-year period now and it’s pretty ordinary that I’m actually sitting in this position and having to justify that situation. I know where it happened in terms of a rumour from down in the Mornington Peninsula where it was clearly going around. That for me was really concerning and bizarre at the time. It then led to an allegation. An allegation that was fully investigated by (Demons CEO) Gary Pert and the club about what that might’ve looked like – and there was nothing in it.

“I do not use illicit drugs. I give everything I can to my family and my team in a way that dedicates my life to my football club and to have this play out over three years where my reputation has been caught up in a board room battle. It has been documented over and over and over again in the public and it’s been really hard for myself, my family and enough is enough. I don’t use illicit drugs and I never will."

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The allegations were made public in the wake of Goodwin leading the Demons to their drought-breaking premiership in 2021. This year they missed the top eight after back-to-back straight-sets exits from the finals in 2022 and 2023.

Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver have both been at the centre of drama over recent months, with plenty of speculation about discontent at the club. Bartlett's successor Kate Roffey and chief executive Gary Pert have also both resigned in recent weeks.

with AAP