The AFL has reportedly uncovered details of a secret 2009 meeting in which members of Melbourne’s football department were reminded of the importance of forfeiting matches to gain early draft picks.

AFL investigators, looking into allegations the Demons tanked for draft picks late that season, have been told of the meeting by several witnesses who were then key figures at the club, according to The Age website.

They include former coach Dean Bailey, his former assistant Josh Mahoney and former recruiting manager Barry Prendergast.

Bailey is now on Adelaide’s coaching staff, Prendergast is at Carlton, while Mahoney heads the Demons’ football department.

The meeting, understood to have been code-named “the vault”, was addressed by then-football boss Chris Connolly.

The AFL has not given a timeline for when its investigation will be completed and refused to comment on what had been discovered so far.

“It is not appropriate to comment on the investigation itself at this stage,” AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said.

“However, I would strongly encourage anyone with information that could be relevant to come forward and contact Brett Clothier, Manager Integrity Services at the AFL.”

The Demons are also refusing to comment while the investigation is ongoing.