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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said on Friday that the league had intervened on Thursday due to information coming out since the club had imposed its sanctions.
“I think they are [the integrity unit] they’re always looking at things and when more information comes in handy then I think there’s always an open book and that’s what happened here, that there’s more information in hand than at the beginning of the week and that’s why they’re doing a look at that, ”McLachlan told 3AW.
McLachlan did not rule out the possibility of May and Melksham facing further sanctions.
When asked if the AFL had CCTV footage of the incident, McLachlan replied: “The integrity unit will work with this process and therefore any information available, and obviously there will be interviews and, if there is other information, they will do it. be working on it “.
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Goodwin did not go into detail when asked if May, who had previously had trouble drinking, was banned from drinking.
“We will work with Steven on his personal situation. It’s not something in the public domain. Steven is a quality person, he has worked very hard with himself. He will continue to do that,” Goodwin said.
The Premier League winning coach rejected suggestions that there was a difference between those who played in last year’s grand final and those who did not.
“There is no division, they are united and they will continue to move forward and try to do something special,” Goodwin said.
“This incident will not define our playgroup. They are united. They are committed to the cause, they know they are wrong. Hopefully, over time, people will see it as a real galvanizing moment for us. “
Goodwin insisted Melksham did not have a broken hand, but admitted that the infection was serious. He said the mid-sized striker had had the infection “wiped out” twice during surgery. “He’s been in twice. It’s a serious infection and we have to get over it,” he said.
Goodwin said he did not tolerate violence in any way.
The incident has eclipsed what appears to be a box office success for the Queen’s birthday match against Collingwood at the MCG on Monday, with the Demons desperate to end in a two-game defeat.
Goodwin’s conduct in the 2021 preseason has once again come to the fore, this time related to CEO Gary Pert’s management style. Pert’s position was discussed at a meeting in February of that year between AFL chief McLachlan, its president Richard Goyder, and Melbourne officials.
The meeting with the AFL took place at the instigation of Melbourne when the Demons were investigating allegations of bullying against Goodwin, which have since been rejected by current President Kate Roffey.
“To be honest, I’m not interested, it’s an irrelevant story. Gary Pert is a man of complete integrity. I have no behavior problems, “Goodwin said.
McLachlan said it was disconcerting and disappointing that the private conversation had been made public. He said he had a frank exchange with Pert, of whom he said with whom he had a good personal and professional relationship.
“I certainly didn’t know it was being recorded and it looks like it was,” he told 3AW. “I think there is an expectation that private conversations in which you are asked to participate, I think, in general, people would expect them to be kept confidential.
“What I would say is that we were called to a meeting, concerns were raised, then Gary and the club investigated the concerns, addressed them and now we are talking about a club and a coach who is a first place coach. I think that’s where it’s at, I think all of that has to be recognized when we look at that. “
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