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“Following the review, Simon, [general manager of football performance] Alan Richardson, [club captain] Max Gawn and the club’s leadership group led the charge in ensuring all areas for improvement outlined in the review were acted upon. They embedded the club’s values of trust, respect, unity and excellence within our football department and they continue to do so.”

Head doctor Zeeshan Arain was sacked just days after raising concerns about Goodwin to club chief executive Gary Pert. The doctor later launched an unlawful dismissal claim against the club, and reportedly received a six-figure settlement.

Arain alleges that he “encountered unreasonable and repeated behaviour by Mr Goodwin”, and that the coach used “aggressive language and tone” when speaking about managing injuries of senior players.

The allegations prompted a meeting between the Demons and the AFL at the time but well-placed sources said on Tuesday that then president Glen Bartlett had acted independently of the board.

AFL sources suggested the Demons had called the meeting. Bartlett, who stood down as president amid board grumblings last year, did not respond on Tuesday when contacted for comment.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan had told the Demons’ hierarchy to take the allegations seriously but also to understand that rumours were rife in football. There was no investigation by the AFL’s integrity unit, with the issue left with the Demons. The AFL was comfortable with this. One AFL source said Pert had been told to “tighten things up”.

Sources close to the players said the coach did not initiate the drinking at the Sorrento Hotel but he had frequented the establishment during the summer of 2020-21. When the players did see him, they would have a few beers.

The Demons say many of the issues highlighted on Tuesday had been dealt with a year ago and that Goodwin had embraced change, including the arrival of new assistant coaches, Adem Yze and Mark Williams.

Kelly added: “Simon, I know, is always wanting to get feedback and improve himself. Certainly, the club did that last year.”

Goodwin, who faced the sack if the Demons struggled on-field last year, went on to lead the club to a breakthrough premiership, ending a 57-year drought. He was named as the AFL Coaches Association coach of the year.

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“As previously communicated to Melbourne supporters, the review reaffirmed Simon Goodwin as the right man to lead our club, and ultimately to drive us to premiership success,” Roffey said.

“The final recommendations outlined areas for improvement for several key staff within the football program, that feedback was given and welcomed by Simon and others as a way of improving our young leaders who are driving the cultural change.

“Simon, like many others within the department, was given this feedback and embraced the opportunity it provided to evolve and improve as a coach.”

Goodwin received a three-year extension in 2018, having led the side into the preliminary final, a deal which raised a few eyebrows at the time.