Forget what Mark Maclure says, Mick Malthouse has plenty of mates.

Former club great Maclure served it up to Carlton’s veteran AFL coach for his behaviour towards journalists – declaring him “friendless” and a bully.

But that doesn’t wash according to new Carlton president Mark LoGiudice, who sought to defend Malthouse in his president’s address before Friday night’s match with North Melbourne.

In a carefully worded speech after a tumultuous week – even for Carlton – the Blues’ new president showed he had been paying attention to media reports about his coach.

“This week, much has been said about our coach Mick Malthouse and his relationship with the media,” LoGiudice said.

“He is a passionate and emotionally invested coach who wants nothing but success for our players and our football club.”

“Mick Malthouse is a good man. He’s a family man with lots of friends from all walks of life.”

If it wasn’t so obviously directed at Maclure’s comments on Wednesday night, it could well have been at home in a courtroom as a character reference.

“He has a great relationship with all at Carlton, in particular our players … and he is the right person to lead our team along the journey as we work towards success,” LoGiudice said.

And in case there was any doubt, he wants that journey to include ageing great Chris Judd, whom he said had been an unbelievable ambassador for the club.

“Chris confirmed that he will make a decision at the end of the season on his playing career,” he said.

“Chris is a champion of the game … and continues to play with the class and the skills of the elite of the competition.

“We would like him to continue playing in 2015 but, whatever he chooses to do, he will have the unconditional support of this football club.”

On the eve of multicultural round, the Carlton chief also paid tribute to the club’s long record of attracting players and support from a wide cross-section of the community.