Melbourne stalwart Ed Langdon has voiced his support for recently sacked premiership coach Simon Goodwin, ahead of his 200th game at AFL level this Sunday.
Speaking to media ahead of his big milestone, the 29-year-old revealed how he and fellow Demons players found out his coach of nearly six years was being dismissed by the club’s board.
“It was obviously a big day yesterday. We were told in the morning on a Zoom call, some of the senior players. We managed to get around to most of the younger players as well before that dropped (on) a big, emotional day,” Langdon said.
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“We all love Goody, he was a big part of the club so it’s definitely a different feeling coming into (this weekend).
“Definitely shocked, that’s not the news I thought I’d be waking up to. As I said, we’re all very close with Goody (having) won a premiership with him.
Langdon, who moved from Fremantle at the end of 2019, has been an ultra-consistent member of Melbourne’s side on the wing. Only Kade Chandler (73 consecutive games) and Trent Rivers (51) have a longer ongoing streak in the Demons’ side without missing a game.
The long-sleeved specialist was understandably reluctant to comment on whether he aligned with the board’s decision to stand down Goodwin.
“It’s really not for me to say. All I’ll touch on is how much I love Goody … he’s been pretty influential on my career, so I’ve only got good things to say about Goody, what he achieved and what he did for this football club,” Langdon continued.
“I can’t really say (what coach we now need); the board’s going to go through that process. We’ve got Troy Chaplin the next three weeks. He’s been around for a long time and is an experienced assistant coach who, again, is pretty close to the players.
When asked whether he felt the players need a new voice, Langdon added: “I’m not sure I would agree with that, but that’s the board’s decision. I can only comment on the players’ relationship with Goody, which was always positive. We always respected him and loved him as a coach.”
“If that’s what the board thinks, then that’s what the board thinks.”
The Demons will officially begin life without their long-time coach on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.