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FWC: FRA v MAR LIVEGoodwin reveals chat with Essendon president
Andrew Slevison • July 10th, 2026 8:58 am
Simon Goodwin has had a conversation with Essendon president Andrew Welsh about the vacant coaching role.
But the Sydney Swans assistant won’t enter the process as it doesn’t feel quite right to throw his hat in the ring.
The Melbourne premiership coach spent four seasons at the Bombers from late 2010 to 2014, coaching one senior game during the supplements saga in 2013.
But a Dons return is not on the cards as he continues to hone his coaching craft under Dean Cox at the Swans.
“I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m open to some conversations,” Goodwin said on SEN’s AFL Nation pre-game.
“I’ve had enquiries and a chat with Andrew Welsh. That’s not a process at the moment that I’m going to lean into.
“I’m loving my time in Sydney, continuing to evolve and get back into coaching and seeing where that takes me.
“It’s got to feel right for you as well and the club. As I sit here now I won’t be entering that process.
“I’ll keep developing and hopefully when the right opportunity comes I’ll go after it.”
Goodwin, who departed the Demons in August 2025, is in no rush to jump in for a senior gig, preferring to wait for what he perceives to be the right opportunity.
“I certainly haven’t put a time limit on it. It just comes down to the right opportunity and it’s got to feel right to you,” he added.
“As I said I’m loving my time at Sydney. I want to get back into senior coaching at some stage and I know it will come up at some stage.
“Right now it’s just about getting better and enjoying my time at Sydney.”
Was Goodwin tempted at all by the chat with Welsh?
“You’re always tempted, there’s no doubt about that,” he replied.
“You’re keen to back into it so you’re tempted to have a chat to anyone. I was open to chatting to Welshy about what that opportunity might look like.
“There’s a bit to work through in that process and at the moment with where it sits right now it’s not something that I’m going to pursue.”
Goodwin’s Swans were blown away late by premiership favourites Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.
The second-placed Swans led at quarter-time (19 points), half-time (22 points) and three-quarter time (two points) before conceding nine goals in the final term to eventually go down by 38 points.
