Simon Goodwin, Melbourne’s only premiership coach in the past 60 years, has been sacked by the Demons. The former Adelaide champion, who led the club to the drought-breaking 2021 flag, has been let go following just seven wins this season.
Taking over from Paul Roos in a succession plan for the 2017 season, Goodwin led Melbourne to their first premiership in 57 years. But off-field turmoil and dwindling performances on the field placed the 48-year-old’s job in jeopardy.
While the pressure on Goodwin had been building for some time, the timing of his axing was ultimately a surprise.
The Demons outclassed West Coast by 83 points on Saturday and Goodwin was optimistic when speaking to the media afterwards.
“I’ve got a clear plan, I’m well supported by the board in terms of where we’re heading and what we’re trying to achieve, and they also understand that sometimes when you’re building something, that challenge will occur and what happens is you ride the challenge, you have clarity, and you keep building,” he said.
The club is currently being overseen by interim chief executive David Chippindall before Paul Guerra, the current CEO of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, takes over next month.
Former Demons captain Garry Lyon said he was “absolutely stunned” by the decision.
“I thought that there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determine whether he coached out his final year [of his contract],” he told radio station SEN.
“Premiership coaches are pretty rare at the Melbourne footy club, he’s one of four, he will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee your tenure, and this is a massive call.”
Goodwin has been a target of online vitriol in recent weeks, including an apparent death threat, and the AFL provided additional security at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
He has been the club’s most prominent voice during a period since the 2021 flag in which the Demons have been drawn into repeated controversy.
skip past newsletter promotion
Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly
Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week’s biggest AFL stories
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
after newsletter promotion
Former Demons club doctor Zeeshan Arain alleged last year players had been pulled from selection to protect them from possible drug testing on game day that would see them suspended.
Defender Joel Smith received a four-year ban for returning a positive test for cocaine in 2023.
Star midfielder Clayton Oliver has faced personal struggles and has struggled to recapture his premiership form, although that is an allegation that could be levelled at much of the Demons’ side during the period.
The club finished fourth in 2023, but dropped to 14th the following year to miss the finals for the first time since 2020.
Melbourne currently sit 12th on the ladder, but are out of finals contention.
