By Michael Gleeson and Jon Pierik
Simon Goodwin will receive a payout upwards of $1 million after Melbourne sacked him with three rounds left in an underwhelming season for the club, and a year remaining on his contract.
Melbourne’s board had been considering the 2021 premiership coach’s future for more than a month before meeting on Monday night and making a unanimous call for a fresh start.
Simon Goodwin at the press conference announcing his departure as Melbourne coach.Credit: Jason South
Demons president Brad Green addressed the media alongside Goodwin on Tuesday after news of the coach’s sacking broke.
“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,” he said.
He described Goodwin as a great coach who “hasn’t got the respect as a premiership coach he deserves”.
The former Adelaide champion player led the Demons to a flag four years ago, breaking a 57-year-drought, one of the longest in the AFL at the time. He is one of just four coaches to lead the Demons to a men’s premiership.
But the club’s disappointing 2025 campaign (seven wins from 20 games so far) counted against him, and 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.
“We still believe we have a list that we should be playing finals. We don’t shy away from that,” Green said.
Green said on Tuesday that he had offered Goodwin the chance to coach the final three games of the season, but he declined. Troy Chaplin will take the reins as interim coach for the rest of the season.
Goodwin believed he left the Demons closer to again being a premiership contender than others thought.
“I am disappointed, there is no doubt about [that]. I respect the board’s decision,” he said.
“I would love to coach again. I love coaching, I love the game.”
Goodwin said on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium that he and the board were aligned, and showed no signs that he was under pressure to keep his job.
“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.”
On Tuesday, he admitted he had been wrong, and added: “I don’t think any coach has been sacked after having an 83-point win.”
“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.
Melbourne players at Simon Goodwin’s farewell press conference.Credit: Jason South
“Clearly, there have been challenges for the past four years, we haven’t shied away from that.
“The results haven’t been there in recent times.”
The finer details of Goodwin’s payout are still being discussed, but the club has agreed to honour next year’s payments. That will take the total to well in excess of $1 million, including the remainder of this season.
The Demons also need to raise funds for the mooted development of a home base at Caulfield Racecourse. Asked about the payout to Goodwin on Tuesday, Green said, “We’ll be OK”.
Melbourne president Brad Green announces the departure of senior coach Simon Goodwin.Credit: Jason South
Since the premiership win in 2021, the Demons have exited finals in straight sets twice, and failed to make the eight in 2024.
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 coach’s departure, which is unlikely to be the last significant change at the club, ensures the Demons will next season have a new senior coach, president and chief executive in a sweeping change to leadership.
Former Melbourne Cricket Club president and club great Steven Smith will replace Green as president later in the year as part of a planned succession. He is due to return from Europe on Wednesday but joined the Demons’ board meeting on Monday night via Zoom when the decision on Goodwin was made. Paul Guerra, the club’s new chief executive, has not yet started in the job, but Green said he, too, had been involved.
Green said there was “nothing unstable” about the decisions made and denied that Melbourne’s final-quarter meltdown against St Kilda in round 20 had any impact on the board’s decision.
The subcommittee to appoint the club’s next permanent coach is expected to include Green, Smith and Guerra, with football boss Alan Richardson a likely inclusion alongside external people.
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 group, but quipped that he wouldn’t miss the drive to Casey for training – a hint at his frustration over the club’s long-running difficulties securing a permanent home base.
“They will be hurting,” said Green, himself a former Melbourne player, of the group. “I was when I lost a senior coach. I know how they are feeling.”
Earlier, Green had thanked Goodwin in a statement to Demons members.
“Goody should be incredibly proud of what he’s achieved at the Melbourne Football Club,” Green said. “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.
“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.”
‘Massive call’: Demons great in shock
Melbourne great and Australian football hall of famer Garry Lyon responded to the news of Goodwin’s departure during his radio show on Tuesday morning.
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.
Garry Lyon (right) was shocked by Goodwin’s departure.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“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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