MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons looks on before the 2024 AFL Round 15 match between the Melbourne Demons and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
‘No substance to them’: Demons shut down shock coach rumour
Melbourne has taken action to dispel speculation over head coach Simon Goodwin’s future with the team.
Several media sources stated on Tuesday that the rumors circulating on social media about the 2021 Premiership coach’s impending firing were untrue.
The wild past 18 months at the Demons, which included off-field problems with players like Clayton Oliver and Joel Smith in addition to two straight-set finals exits, have left the team’s manager under siege.
But he is contracted until the end of 2026, having signed a fresh deal last August.
“Have spoken to melbournefc… Over the last few days rumours have run wild re Simon Goodwin’s coaching future,” Nine’s Tom Morris tweeted.
“The club is at pains to say they are all categorically untrue & have no substance to them whatsoever.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund backed up the report, tweeting: “For those engaged in this, I have spoken to Melbourne FC regarding the widespread rumours once again circulating about the coaching future of Simon Goodwin. They are complete rubbish and have no facts attached to them. Must be time for the season to start!
Seven’s Mitch Cleary added: “The Demons have also moved to quash widespread rumours that Simon Goodwin’s coaching future is up in the air.”
While Melbourne has finished in the top four for three consecutive seasons a rollercoaster period has many asking whether they’re ready to drop off.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack: Season Preview edition, David King argued the off-season has put too much “stress” on the club that’ll ultimately cause it to tumble out of the top eight altogether.
“I think they’ve had a great run and been terrific as a football club. We laud their leaders — Gawn, Petracca, Viney, May and Lever — they’re hall of famers for the Melbourne Football Club,” King said.
“But I just think there’s too many self inflicted wounds through one off-season and the stress of everything going on around the edges. You start wasting too much time on things outside of football.
“You stress the football club, not just these players, and it permeates through the group.”
He added: “I don’t think this list is as deep as what it was last year,” he added.
“They’ve allowed players to leave that weren’t probably in their best 20 players, but somewhere between 20 and 30. Guys like Harmes, Jordon and Grundy and Hibberd retires.
“There’s a little changing of the guard with that next rung of player, which puts more stress on those senior players to lead the way.
“I just think the stress on the football club will have an impact.”
