The Melbourne Demons have finally sacked their 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin. This decision follows a lackluster season where the team failed to make the finals for a third consecutive time. The decision comes on the heels of a series of judicial defeats. A five-match losing streak, out due to restricted free agency cut their postseason hopes short.
Goodwin, 48, endured a tumultuous time during his seven years with the Demons. His coaching career started to earn serious steam in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when Melbourne started taking major strides. This all bubbled up to their magical 2021 finish, winning the club’s first-ever premiership since their inception and first since 1964. Even by those real-world standards, this season was brutal for the team. They opened the season with five consecutive losses, raising questions about Goodwin’s job security.
That made it even worse for the Demons, who were only just coming off a five-game losing streak themselves. Their performance has hit rock bottom after a record fourth-quarter capitulation to St Kilda late last month. That perfect storm of events resulted in Goodwin only finding out about his firing on his way home on Monday night.
In addressing the challenges faced by the team, Goodwin previously stated, “In 2019 we finished second last, two years later we won the flag. You can’t get consumed in noise.” His sunny disposition was hard to shake even in the face of this year’s underperformance from the team.
Despite their title run two summers ago, the Demons had been unable to capitalize. This undesired outcome saw them suffer two consecutive straight-sets exits after their run to the preliminary final, with increased frustrations from fans and management as one growing. Tensions within the team became evident, with star player Clayton Oliver urged to either improve his performance or seek opportunities elsewhere. Christian Petracca investigated a new trajectory after suffering a life-changing cottonwool fracture from last year’s King’s Birthday blockbuster.
In their most recent match, Melbourne obliterated West Coast by 83 points. This win is in stark contrast to their struggles all season long. Though this win was significant, it was not enough to change management’s mind on keeping Goodwin in her role. They’re still in search of a new path forward.
As the club reflects on its journey, they must now consider the next steps in rebuilding their team and coaching staff. The search for a new head coach will be crucial in ensuring Melbourne can return to its winning ways and possibly reclaim its former glory.
