Several senior Melbourne staff members conceded that instances of tanking occurred during their turbulent 2009 season, according to The Herald Sun.
More than 80 pages of transcripts and documents were obtained by The Herald Sun, revealing interviews that took place between AFL investigators and Demons coaches, players and officials in 2012.
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The 58 interviews were part of an investigation into allegations of tanking that year.
Then-Melbourne coach Dean Bailey made a startling admission regarding the claims.
“What was said to me was, 'If I win games I would get sacked’,” Bailey told the AFL investigators.
“I was threatened. Yeah, I didn’t like it. I think it was a terrible thing to be bullying and harassing not only me but the rest of the staff.
“Absolutely, I knew if we won those games, I felt that I would get sacked.”
Melbourne finished last in 2009 and were able to select Tom Scully and Jack Trengove with picks No.1 and No.2 in the AFL Draft.
The interviews also revealed that players were kept off the ground, despite not having serious injuries. Players were also alleged to have faked injuries, making them unavailable for selection.
Melbourne were found not guilty of tanking in 2013 after a seven-month investigation, but were fined $500,000.
Former head of football Chris Connolly was suspended for 12 months while former coach Bailey was given a 16-match ban.
