- Shock confession from Simon Goodwin
- Coached Melbourne Demons to 2021 AFL title
- Felt his crowning achievement was ‘not enough’
Simon Goodwin was a premiership-winning coach in 2021 with the Melbourne Demons – but remarkably has revealed he felt the silverware was ‘not enough.’
The former Demons player felt partially empty as the resounding triumph over the Western Bulldogs was played in Perth – not the traditional MCG – due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, making it a one-of-a-kind win.
The Demons ended a 57-year drought following the thumping 74-point victory – but many rusted-on fans could only watch on their TVs back in Melbourne.
‘I think there was a sense after 2021 that there might be more flags. The [playing] list was incredible,’ interviewer Hamish McLachlan told Goodwin on Channel Seven’s Unfiltered.
‘What’s happened off-field [in recent years] I think has been most surprising. Did you see any sign of the fractures that have happened off field?’
Goodwin responded by stating the 2022 and 2023 seasons were missed opportunities following disappointing finals exits – but he and his team felt suffocated by expectation a dynasty was going to follow, similar to what Hawthorn and Richmond achieved.
Simon Goodwin was a premiership-winning coach in 2021 with the Melbourne Demons – but remarkably has revealed he felt the silverware (pictured) was ‘not enough’
Goodwin (right) felt partially empty because the triumph over the Western Bulldogs was played in Perth due to COVID restrictions at the time
Captain Max Gawn and Demons head coach Simon Goodwin hold the AFL Premiership Cup aloft at the MCG in December of 2021 as part of a fan day – months after their triumph in Perth
Champion midfielder Christian Petracca won the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in what was the club’s first flag since 1964
‘We weren’t enjoying the game like we were,’ he said.
‘It felt like there was [huge] pressure. It felt like there was an expectation that was just living on top of us because of the success of 2021.
‘And there was a need to, ‘You’ve got to do it [win a flag] in front of your supporters.
‘You’ve got to do it at the MCG.
‘It was like [the premiership] wasn’t enough….and then expectation was building internally. ‘And then the off-field issues were present.’
Goodwin isn’t wrong.
Former chairman Glen Bartlett repeatedy attacked a handful of club leaders via the media, including Goodwin – and then president Kate Roffey resigned, followed by CEO Gary Pert.
Additionally, star duo Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver appeared to be seeking playing opportunities elsewhere – and then Joel Smith was embroiled in a drug scandal, which resulted in a four-year ban issued last October.
‘There was a heaviness off the field, in and around our footy club,’ Goodwin admitted.
‘There were issues internally with players that we were working through constantly, and that became layer upon layer.
‘And it became really heavy. It just leaves you exhausted.’
