Simon Goodwin was a noticeable absentee from the Melbourne Demons’ best and fairest night on Tuesday, with Caroline Wilson labelling it “disgraceful” that the club pulled the trigger on sacking him before the season’s end. Goodwin was praised for his “extraordinary legacy” at the club’s presentation night, but the sacked premiership coach declined an invitation to attend.
In his acceptance speech after winning his third Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Trophy, skipper Max Gawn heaped praise on Goodwin, saying all eight of his All-Australian selections had come when Goodwin was at the helm. “He is going to be forever my coach,” Gawn said. “Cheers Goody.”
Hayden Skipworth (far left) is out of the race to be the new Melbourne Demons coach, and Simon Goodwin (R) didn’t attend the club’s best and fairest awards. Image: Getty
On Channel 7 program ‘The Agenda Setters’, leading journo Wilson blasted the Demons over the fact Goodwin didn’t attend. The club did offer an invite, but Goodwin didn’t accept.
“How disgraceful, the way Melbourne treated their premiership coach, really,” Wilson said. “I mean, (sacking him) three games out, why not let him stay, he should have been at the best and fairest.”
Mitch Cleary asked: “Did they rush because they thought Carlton might have moved on Michael Voss?” Wilson replied: “They did and they botched it.”
Goodwin was coach and Gawn was captain when the Demons broke a 57-year premiership drought by winning the flag in 2021. Goodwin is one of only four men to coach Melbourne to a premiership.
President Brad Green acknowledged the absent Goodwin at Tuesday night’s function, saying: “Simon leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Simon gave everything – not just as a coach, but as a person, and for that we are extremely grateful.
“We will find a fantastic person (as the new coach) who will drive this club forward and you should be extremely excited about this, and what we can achieve together. This decision is critical to our club’s future. This is a great club and I have no doubt that success isn’t far away.”
Simon Goodwin could land at a Sydney club next year with wife Kris based there for work. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
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West Coast interested in getting Simon Goodwin
Goodwin has been linked with a possible assistant coaching role at the GWS Giants or Sydney Swans next year. His wife Kris is based in Sydney for work, and GWS coach Adam Kingsley admitted he’d be open to bringing Goodwin on board.
But Cleary revealed on Tuesday night that West Coast are also interested. “He’s got family links in Perth. Of course, his wife is based in Sydney, so he’s met with both the Giants and the Swans, but I understand the Eagles have come calling for Simon Goodwin,” Cleary said.
“He spent a year with Andrew McQualter at the Demons before McQualter got the job at the Eagles, so potentially some room to move in the Eagles’ soft cap to go and target someone like Simon Goodwin. I understand he’s gone away for a couple of weeks to work through whether he sticks in footy in 2026 or he explores some other options. But he has no shortage of suitors for next year if he decides to stay in footy, and the Eagles are one of the clubs in the race for his services.”
Collingwood assistant out of Melbourne Demons race
As for who the Demons get as their next head coach, the picture became a little clearer on Tuesday. Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth has reportedly withdrawn from the race after landing on a six-person ‘short-list’.
Melbourne started interviews for their new coach on Monday, with former Collingwood boss Nathan Buckley believed to be the front-runner. A decision could be made as early as preliminary final week, but it won’t be Skipworth.
Hayden Skipworth (L) with Collingwood coach Craig McRae in 2023. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Cleary reported: “Hayden Skipworth has opted not to pursue the Melbourne coaching job – informing the Demons he won’t be interviewing. Was runner-up for the [West Coast] job last year and seen as a future senior coach given high regard at Pies. His time will come.”
The remaining candidates are current assistants at different clubs – James Kelly and Steven King from Geelong, Brendon Lade from the Bulldogs and Daniel Giansiracusa from Essendon. Scott Gullan of the Herald Sun told Fox Footy on Tuesday night the Demons were “surprised” and “shocked” by Skipworth’s withdrawal.