Gary Pert said Melbourne has the best culture he has ever seen. His departure shows that he was out of touch

In this year’s reviews, Perth discovered (or was confirmed) that his departure was necessary to bring about significant change to Melbourne. Reviews did not recommend he leave, but made it clear that a change in leadership would be beneficial.

Coupled with the departure of President Kate Roffey in September, this management reboot will create “clean air” and a fresh start for the club.

The review recognized Perth’s value in the ongoing push to develop Caulfield Racecourse as a home base in Melbourne. That’s why he was retained as a consultant after Christmas, when his reign as Melbourne’s longest-serving chief executive comes to an end.

The realization that there would be a change in CEO was also an important factor in Steven Smith’s change of heart to join the board now.

Smith, a former Melbourne player and president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, was reluctant to join the board following Roffey’s departure when there was intense pressure from the constituency and business people for him to take over as president. He had just completed his legal career and was planning to take a break and travel next year with his wife.

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The agreement that Green had been pushing hard for Smith over the past five weeks was that he would join the board now to be involved in major decisions and appointments made following joint reviews of the club, and then go abroad for a few months next year to then potentially take over as president at the end of next season was a smart compromise.

It was important that Smith could be involved in the selection of the new CEO. This succession plan assumes the agreement of the other directors, which is likely.

It also debunks the notion that Smith will come as a white knight to solve all of Melbourne’s problems and instead promotes the idea of ​​an orderly transition.