Goodwin had a year to run on his contract with the Demons and his payout will be well in excess of $1 million, as he will be paid for the remainder of this season and all of next. Asked about the payout on Tuesday, Green said, “We’ll be OK.”
Green said he offered Goodwin the chance to coach the final three games of the season, but the coach declined, meaning Troy Chaplin will take the reins as interim coach for the rest of the season.
Simon Goodwin at the press conference announcing his departure as Melbourne coach.Credit: Jason South
Green said the time was right for change at the Demons, conceding the players would be affected.
“They will be hurting,” said Green, a former Melbourne player. “I was when I lost a senior coach. I know how they are feeling.”
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Melbourne’s players were in the gallery at Tuesday’s press conference, among them skipper Max Gawn, who was told by Goodwin of the sacking in a phone call at 7.30am.
Goodwin said he would miss coaching the players, but quipped that he wouldn’t miss the drive to Casey for training; hinting at his frustration at the club’s long-running difficulties securing a permanent home base.
Goodwin said last week he and the board were aligned.
“Obviously, I got that wrong,” he admitted on Tuesday.
“I think any time you undertake change … that is going to take time,” Goodwin added in reference to the personnel and game style changes he had undertaken at the club.
“Clearly, there have been challenges for the past four years, we haven’t shied away from that.
Melbourne players at Simon Goodwin’s farewell press conference.Credit: Jason South
“The results haven’t been there in recent times.”
The Demons had an 83-point win on Saturday against West Coast. Green said Goodwin – who took the club to a drought-breaking premiership in 2021 – had a record to be proud of.
“I think Simon hasn’t got the respect as a premiership coach he deserves,” the president said.
“He is a leader, he is a great coach.
“We, as a board, came to a decision [that] it’s time for a new voice to take this team forward … there is nothing there that [suggests] Simon can’t coach … we just need a new voice.”
Green said there was “nothing unstable” in the decisions made. He said prospective president Steven Smith was involved, so, too, new CEO Paul Guerra, who has yet to officially start. He denied that Melbourne’s final-quarter meltdown against St Kilda in round 20 had any impact on the board’s decision.
Green also thanked Goodwin in a statement to Demons members released late on Tuesday morning.
“Goody should be incredibly proud of what he’s achieved at the Melbourne Football Club,” Green said.
The Demons have parted ways with premiership coach Simon Goodwin.Credit: Getty Images
“To take a group of players and help shape them into a premiership team is something only four other … coaches have achieved within the history of the club.
“He has given absolutely everything, not just as a coach, but as a person, and we are extremely grateful for his contribution to the red and blue.
“On behalf of the entire club, I want to thank Simon, his wife Kris and their family for everything they have given to Melbourne. We wish them nothing but the best for the future.
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“While decisions like this are never easy, the board and I believe that now is the right time for a new voice to lead our AFL playing group and program forward.”
A searching review of the football department last year did not lead to significant personnel change, but the club had vowed that after no tangible on-field improvement, this year there would be significant action.
The Demons were mindful of the potential availability of experienced former senior coaches in Adam Simpson, John Longmire and Nathan Buckley when contemplating Goodwin’s future.
Goodwin showed no signs that he was under pressure to keep his job on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
“I’m the coach of the Melbourne footy club,” Goodwin said after his side’s thumping of West Coast. “I’m proud to be able to do that.
“Clearly, 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.
“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.”
Goodwin said he had never considered his own future as they navigated the devastating fallout of the St Kilda loss in round 20.
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“I’ve said all along, it’s not about me, it’s about the footy team and the footy club,” Goodwin said.
“We think we’ve been building something throughout the year, you know, with our outcome, and sometimes that can be really tough for our supporters.
“It can be tough for people internally, but I’m really clear about what we’re building, what we’re trying to build, and what we’re trying to transition into.”
The former Adelaide champion player led the Demons to a premiership four years ago, breaking a 57-year-drought, one of the longest in the AFL at the time.
The move ensures the Demons will next season have a new senior coach, president and chief executive in a sweeping change to leadership at the club.
Former Melbourne Cricket Club president and club great Smith will replace Green as president later in the year as part of a planned succession. He is in Europe and will not arrive back in Australia until Wednesday but joined the Demons board meeting last night via Zoom when the decision on Goodwin was made. Guerra, the club’s new chief executive, has not yet started in the job. Goodwin’s departure is unlikely to be the last significant personnel change at the club.
‘Massive call’: Demons great in shock
Melbourne great and Australian football hall of famer Garry Lyon responded to the news during his radio show on Tuesday morning.
Garry Lyon (right) was shocked by Goodwin’s departure.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Despite his deep connections to the club Lyon said he had no inkling that the board would move on Goodwin before the end of the season.
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“I’m stunned, shocked, totally shocked. Absolutely, just shocked, I can’t get my head around it,” Lyon said on SEN.
“I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determine whether he could coach out the final year of his contract,” Lyon added.
He said Goodwin would always hold a special place in Demon hearts for coaching Melbourne to the 2021 flag, which was played at Optus Stadium in Perth while Victoria was in lockdown.
“Premiership coaches are rare at Melbourne, he’s one of four, he will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee tenure,” Lyon said.
“This is a massive call … He won’t be coaching a farewell game, that’s something I can promise you.
“I had no heads-up on this whatsoever. Absolutely just shocked, I can’t get my head around it.”
With Danny Russell
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