Kate Roffey has stepped down from the role of Melbourne president effectively immediately, the club confirmed on Friday. She will also relinquish her position on the board.
In her place, 254-game club great Brad Green will assume the mantle as part of what the club has called ‘a process of board renewal’.
Roffey, an 11-year board member, had been the club’s president since the start of 2021; the Demons winning their drought-breaking premiership in her first year at the helm before following up with an AFLW flag in 2022.
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Her four years in the role have come to an end abruptly following recent criticism, notably after her interview with SEN’s Gerard Whateley in August discussing Melbourne’s handling of Christian Petracca and his ‘disillusionment’ with the club after his life-threatening injuries sustained in a King’s Birthday clash in June.
Roffey was the club’s first female president, and currently sits as the deputy chancellor of Victoria University, starting the role in 2021.
She expressed her thanks to Melbourne and its supporters in a club statement released on Friday afternoon.
“As I finish up my incredible time with the Melbourne Football Club, I pass on my sincere thanks to all those who have supported me along the way – fellow Directors, CEO Gary Pert and the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes, our football department, in particular our Head Coaches Simon Goodwin and Mick Stinear, footy boss Alan Richardson, and our members, yes – especially the mighty Demon army,” said Roffey in the statement.
“To the families of our players, thank you!
“And of course, to the men and women who play for the red and the blue – by far the most rewarding part of a President’s role is having the opportunity to know you all and share a hug.
“As always, I will be sitting in the stands cheering you on.
“My best goes to everyone for the ongoing success of the Mighty Dees!”
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The incoming Green expressed his appreciation to Roffey.
“Kate’s legacy as President is outstanding and we owe her a debt of gratitude. She took over at a tumultuous time, brought great stability to the Board and backed our management team and football department to deliver premierships,” said Green.
“Under Kate’s Presidency, Melbourne has experienced record membership growth and won both an AFL and AFLW Premiership. Kate has overseen the delivery of strong financial results, as well as steering the Casey Fields development, and the creation of the club’s Future Fund.
“As the first female President of Melbourne Football Club, Kate has etched her name among the great pioneers of our game. She loves our members and fans and always has them at the forefront of her decision making.”
Green shared his next steps as the Demons aim for a rebound in 2025.
“I am honoured to have been chosen as President by my colleagues and proud to continue to serve this great club which has given me so many opportunities in life,” he said in Friday’s statement.
“I have told my colleagues that I will lead the review process and once it is completed, I would like to give the Board the opportunity to vote again on the Presidency.
“This will be a collaborative reset of the Board and it’s important that we are honest with each other about where we have succeeded, and where we could have done better.
“There is no doubt that we need to turn the faith and belief of our members and fans into results and performance, and the Board stands at the top of that process.
“We are united by a love for this footy club, and I want to bring us all together as one red and blue force.”
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