Liberal Party national president Alan Stockdale's bid to become president of AFL club Melbourne has failed, with the Demons announcing Glen Bartlett has been given the role.
"Bartlett was elected to the position by the club's board at a meeting of board members on Friday, and has the support of the AFL, which is assisting with efforts to reinvigorate the club to achieve greater on and off-field success," the Demons said in a statement.
The Demons formed a board nominations sub-committee which includes AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon following the resignations of four board members earlier in 2013.
Further candidates are currently being interviewed.
Bartlett, a lawyer who played four games for West Coast in 1987, said he was honoured to be handed the role.
"I would like to thank the board and the AFL for their support and faith in me," Bartlett said.
Bartlett, who joined the board in July, will take over from interim president Peter Spargo.
"Glen Bartlett is very well-credentialled in both a football and business sense, and has the support of the AFL in leading the Melbourne Football Club board as it moves to take the club into an era of sustained competitiveness and success," Dillon said.
"The AFL is confident Glen is well placed to work closely and enthusiastically with CEO Peter Jackson to drive the necessary reforms across the club."
Stockdale's leadership bid had attracted high-profile support including the backing of former Demons' No.1 ticketholder and Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker.
Former Hawthorn club president Jeff Kennett, who was premier of Victoria when Stockdale was state treasurer, had also made a bid to be Demons' president to succeed Don McLardy who had stepped down in June.
In a dramatic season that has featured two wins from 19 matches plus the sackings of chief executive Cameron Schwab and coach Mark Neeld, the Demons secured almost $3 million in conditional extra funding from the AFL in June.
