Administrators at the Melbourne Demons are in hot water, after it was revealed they hosted a virtual meeting with partners of their players to discuss the private life of the since-departed Steven May.
SEN's Tom Morris reported that the call was sold to the participants as an "introductory session" for them to meet new coach Steven King, CEO Paul Guerra, and football boss Alan Richardson. On the call, the three were to discuss "a matter that impacts the football program".
“They would like to introduce themselves and also have a conversation surrounding a matter that impacts the football program, and we want to ensure you are kept across the information as best we can,” participants were allegedly told.
The men proceeded to allegedly expose facets of May's private life, including the disclosure of a welfare check conducted by Victorian police at the defender's home. Morris noted that no psychologists or welfare officers were present on the call.
An anonymous whistleblower was left disappointed with the conduct of the Demons' administrators.
“There was no warning that such a delicate matter would be discussed, nor any opportunity to consent to being part of that potentially triggering conversation," they said.
“Melbourne shared private and confidential information in a non-controlled, obviously not confidential setting. It was a group call. It felt totally inappropriate. You could feel how taken off-guard everyone was. Nobody was prepared to hear that information.”
The disingenuous framing of the call, as well as the exposure of sensitive materials pertaining to a former player prompted a complaint to the AFLPA, with the AFL now overseeing the Demons' in-house navigation of the matter.
