AFL club considered drug testing ALL staff amid behavior concerns

A proposal to drug test the staff of AFL club the Melbourne Demons was blocked by its chief executive, who feared many workers would quit because of the new rule, triggering a 'mass exodus'. Melbourne had been so worried about Goodwin's allegedly erratic behaviour towards the end of 2020 that the board considered dumping him on the eve of what would turn out to be the club's first flag since 1964 The Demons celebrates after the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Perth Amid the concerns about coach and player behaviour, the club president Glen Bartlett wrote an email suggesting the club should become a leader in Australian sport by drug testing all staff members, not just players. Former Melbourne Demons President Glen Bartlett floated the idea of drug testing the club's entire staff Melbourne Demon's chief executive Gary Pert blocked the move, with leaked emails showing he was concerned such a policy would trigger a 'mass exodus' But he argued the club did not have a mandate to implement such a policy that would impact on the private lives of staff when they're away from their jobs. Former Collingwood great and Melbourne director of coaching Alan Richardson had to chaperone Goodwin on a trip to Las Vegas Alan Richardson reportedly had to travel to Las Vegas with Simon Goodwin to make sure he behaved himself AFL boss Gillon McLachlan had been told about Goodwin's alleged boozing with players Still, the club took the precaution of sending Richardson on the Las Vegas trip with a brief of keeping an eye on Goodwin.