Paul Roos

Just ahead of Melbourne's match against Geelong in Round Four, Melbourne Demons president Glen Bartlett announced during his president's address at the MCG, that he would step aside as club president. He does intend to stay involved at the board level.  Bartlett, who has been at the helm since 2013 and was up for re-election in six months, said he believes the time was right to step down. Co vice-presidents Kate Roffey and Mohan Jesudason are believed to be the candidates to take over on an interim basis.

Club CEO Gary Pert confirmed the news to foxfooty.com.au in an email late Saturday night so as not to distract the players or coaches from the Sunday game. Former Demon Jordan Lewis, who does footy commentary for Fox, said of Bartlett, “The beauty about Glen was he wasn’t really seen. He was in the background and provided great stability for a club that was on its knees. He’s done a fantastic job and has always been good to me. I love how he’s staying on the board because he has plenty more to offer.”

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Adam Goodes has always been a spokesperson for his people, their indigenous heritage and a strong voice against racism. As a result, he has become highly respected off the football field as well as on and was named Australian of the Year in 2014. In 2013, Goodes heard a fan in the crowd call out to him using a racist slur and Goodes turned and pointed her out to security guards who escorted her from the ground. The fan turned out to be a 13 year old girl.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

To coincide with the 25th anniversary of the club's entry into the AFL, the Adelaide Crows held their first Hall Of Fame induction on April 29. The inductees were two-time premiership coach Malcolm Blight, former chairmen Bob Hammond and Bill Sanders, former captain and current board member Mark Ricciuto and fellow club champions Andrew McLeod, Ben Hart, Tony Modra and Simon Goodwin.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Just weeks after his resignation as the Western Bulldogs' senior coach, Brendan McCartney was appointed development and strategy coach with the Melbourne Demons. He joins Brett Allison, Brad Miller and newly appointed full-time Casey coach Justin Plapp, in Melbourne’s development team for 2015. He will remain in that role until assistant coach Simon Goodwin takes over from Paul Roos in 2017 as senior coach, at which time he will move into a mentor and management role.

In making the announcement, football operations manager Josh Mahoney said the club was delighted to have McCartney on board. “He has a proven record and reputation in developing players and his appointment adds valued experience to our development program ... Simon has previously worked with Brendan ... at Essendon and identified him as the ideal candidate ... to assist his transition into senior coaching."

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Former Adelaide star Simon Goodwin, who has been an assistant coach with Essendon, was rumored to be a candidate to replace sacked Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

When Paul Roos decided to take on the coaching job at Melbourne it was a one year deal with an option for two more seasons. Roos decided to take up the option after the Demons' spirited display against Port Adelaide in Round 18. The Dees came back from a six goal deficit to get within three points and Roos said that the split round gave him plenty of time to think.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The week following the Grand Final saw over 100 draft hopefuls attend the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne. The participants underwent a multitude of skills tests. Among those attending were two Americans, Jason Holmes and Mark Cisco. Holmes is originally from Chicago but had been attending Moreland State University in Kentucky. The 23 year old stands 203cm (6'6") and weighs 104kg (229 lbs). He has a background in American Football, soccer, baseball, golf and college basketball. This is not his first visit to Australia as he also trained at the Sydney Swans Academy under Paul Roos after testing well at the combine in Los Angeles. While he did not finish in the top ten in the recent combine, his results were impressive enough for the Saints to sign him as an international rookie.