Melbourne CEO Gary Pert is pleased with the way his club has performed in 2021, but is finding it “very difficult” not to be able to share it with fans in Victoria.
The Demons enjoyed their most successful season in recent memory off the back of changes in the coaching box and the improved form of a host of their stars.
Pert isn’t overly surprised by the rise of the Demons in 2021 after a post-season review last year gave him the confidence in the direction of the program.
“We did the review at the end of last year and part of that review was identifying that we’ve got this amazingly talented list,” Pert told SEN's Whateley.
“We needed to make some changes around that list to support it in terms of the coaching and the leadership of the program.
“We always had confidence in what they were capable of doing but as the year went on ... we started beating the top four teams and we knew we’d have to get to that point.
“Then all of a sudden you go, we’re not only beating them but we’re clearly playing a style of football that would hold up in finals and that’s what our stated goal was at the start of the year.
“Be back in the finals but most importantly playing a style of football that would actually hold up in the finals and beat the top teams and I think we’ve shown that this year.”
Despite Melbourne’s on-field success this year, the club has remained tightlipped on the future of coach Simon Goodwin whose contract expires at the end of next season.
“Goody’s (Simon Goodwin) coaching has been magnificent this year and I think he’s surrounded by a really good team,” Pert said.
“As a coaching group, I’m watching the way they perform, the way they handle the big moments, the way they prepare for games and it’s a bit chalk and cheese from last year.
“In regards to re-contracting Goody, it’s probably the last thing on our minds for any of us, we’re on this rollercoaster of just getting through each day.”
Part of the rollercoaster has been dealing with playing the entire finals series away from the club’s faithful in Victoria, an outcome which Pert is disappointed about.
“It’s very difficult to get your head around not being able to share this with our supporters and members in the same way that we’d love to be at the MCG,” Pert said.
“Our supporters are certainly up and about. They’re swamping us with messages, it’s been fantastic.
“The best thing we can do for our supporters is to keep on winning and play a style of football that they’re proud of. So that becomes our focus.”