Simon Goodwin sacked

[ledge]

Apparently players to be told at 9 am according to Tom Morris

[azabob]

Apparently players to be told at 9 am according to Tom Morris

Interesting.

Apparently Melbourne sounded out Bevo before he signed his contract with us.

[Bornadog]

Great just before we play them

[Axe Man]

Simon Goodwin sacked as coach of Melbourne

Simon Goodwin’s time at Melbourne is over with the premiership coach sacked in the midst of another disappointing Demons season.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has been sacked.

The premiership-winning coach was told of the decision by the club’s board on Monday night.

Goodwin will receive a near one million dollar payout for next season.

The board had lost faith in the team’s direction under Goodwin.

Since a historic 2021 premiership, the Demons have missed finals in 2024 and 2025 after two failed September campaigns in 2022 and 2023.

While he was contracted for next season, interim president Brad Green told Goodwin on Monday night that they wanted a change for 2026.

The club is expected to hold a press conference at midday Tuesday.

It is a bold call from the club, which is undergoing considerable change in its off-field leadership ranks, which has contributed to instability at the Dees this year.

New CEO Paul Guerra will take over on September 8 with interim CEO David Chippindall leading Melbourne in his absence this season.

Demons champion Brad Green has been a caretaker president, with respected former MCC boss Steven Smith set to take over as club president at the end of the year.

The board had empowered Goodwin to make considerable change to the game style and team this season after conceding both its method and personnel which took it to the 2021 flag needed an overhaul.

Despite a poor start to season, Goodwin was confident the Demons were on track to rise up the ladder next season with its ball movement changes and new midfield mix, however Melbourne had doubts after the loss to Carlton in round 19 and the final-term capitulation against St Kilda the week after.

It leaves a cloud over the futures of some of Melbourne’s biggest stars, including 2021 Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca who has received interest from Hawthorn.

Petracca has kept silent on his future and will now likely hold off on a call until season’s end.

Goodwin will likely embark on a holiday and will be courted by media organisations to play a broadcast role in finals.

The Herald Sun understands Goodwin wants to continue coaching after an initial break.

Melbourne’s board will now have to decide what it wants to do with its coach ahead of the 2026 season.

Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, Pies assistant Hayden Skipworth and Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade would be the early leading candidates.

[chef]

**** off, they couldn't wait a week.

[Scott2016]

Why does it always happen the week we play the team who's coach was sacked

[Axe Man]

Will he coach this week or is he done?

I think it would be better for us if he is done so they can't play for him.

[ledge]

I wonder if the players are upset or were the instigators

[Mofra]

I wonder if the players are jumping for joy or were the instigators

The unhappiness at that club seems to be more than just "coach deep".

I'm expecting a cleanout / reset at the end of the year.

[Sedat]

Has a coach ever been sacked after winning his last game by 14 goals?

[Aidan7557]

DANGER GAME, DANGER GAME, DANGER GAME. Nothing worse then a team who has a new coach and complete freedom to play with no consequence. Nervous.

[Bornadog]

DANGER GAME, DANGER GAME, DANGER GAME. Nothing worse then a team who has a new coach and complete freedom to play with no consequence. Nervous.

Nah, they don't have the motivation

[Sedat]

The danger is in Melbourne's overall talent levels. Relative to their overall talent, they have underachieved significantly this season. I'm not sure the players will automatically 'pop' now that Goodwin has been sacked - who on their list is playing for their next contract? Most of their key players (rightly or wrongly) are under long-term deals, and with their season petering out, they aren't exactly motivated to press hard for the last 3 matches. The coach has been scapegoated in any event, so the players have cover until the off-season. Next year under a new coach is a completely different story - there will be significant pressure on a number of players.

If we approach the game with the same mindset we've done all season, we should win comfortably. Melbourne don't have the depth in midfield nor do they have the defensive pillars to deal with our forwards. Gawn v English is a very important match-up this week. If we can gain territory dominance, we should win. However if we are a little off (which we honestly haven't been all season), Melbourne has the talent to make Sunday arvo uncomfortable.

[DOG GOD]

Great just before we play them

I was thinking the same. Just what we wanted

[Jeanette54]

Question, can a demon perform a dead cat bounce ?