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“I’m the coach of the Melbourne footy club,” Goodwin said after his side’s 83-point thumping of West Coast Eagles. “I’m proud to be able to do that.
“Clearly, I’ve got a clear plan. I’m well-supported by the board in terms of where we’re heading and what we’re trying to achieve.
“They also understand that sometimes, when you’re building something, that challenge will occur, and what happens is, you ride the challenge, you have clarity, and you keep building.”
Goodwin said he had never considered his own future as they navigated the devastating fallout of the St Kilda loss in round 20.
“I’ve said all along, it’s not about me, it’s about the footy team and the footy club,” Goodwin said.
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“We think we’ve been building something throughout the year, you know, with our outcome, and sometimes that can be really tough for our supporters.
“It can be tough for people internally, but I’m really clear about what we’re building, what we’re trying to build, and what we’re trying to transition into.”
The former Adelaide champion player led the Demons to a premiership four years ago, breaking a 57-year-drought, one of the longest in the AFL at the time.
‘Massive call’: Demons great in shock
Melbourne great and Australian football hall of famer Garry Lyon responded to the news during his radio show on Tuesday morning.
Despite his deep connections to the club Lyon said he had no inkling that the board would move on Goodwin before the end of the season.
Garry Lyon (right) was shocked by Goodwin’s departure.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
“I’m stunned, shocked, totally shocked. Absolutely, just shocked, I can’t get my head around it,” Lyon said on SEN.
“I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determine whether he could coach out the final year of his contract,” Lyon added.
He said Goodwin would always hold a special place in Demon hearts for coaching Melbourne to the 2021 flag, which was played at Optus Stadium in Perth while Victoria was in lockdown.
“Premiership coaches are rare at Melbourne, he’s one of four, he will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee tenure,” Lyon said.
“This is a massive call … He won’t be coaching a farewell game, that’s something I can promise you.
“I had no heads up on this whatsoever. Absolutely just shocked, I can’t get my head around it.”