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Live sport on SN this weekendThe sole reason Goodwin was sacked by Melbourne
SEN • August 14th, 2025 9:25 am
Simon Goodwin has outlined the only reason he was given when sacked by the Melbourne Football Club.
Goodwin’s nine-year tenure came to an end last week after the club’s board decided to part ways with the 2021 premiership coach.
President Brad Green said at the initial press conference that the club needed a new voice.
And that appears to be the sole reason as to why Goodwin, who had a year to run on his contract, was removed.
The former Demons coach appeared on Fox Footy’s AFL360 on Wednesday night to provide his insight on the massive call.
“That was the (only) reason I got; that they needed a fresh and new voice and someone new to take them forward,” he said.
“I accept that decision, I don’t need to seek anymore. I’m sure they went through a deeper process of what that looked like.”
Garry Lyon asked if that was enough of a reason, wondering if there was more to it.
Goodwin responded diplomatically: “I can’t speak on behalf of the board. I know people will press me about what was the board thinking. I can’t speak on behalf of them.”
One of four Demons premiership coaches, Goodwin admits it was a surprise to hear the news, but ultimately he was accepting of it.
“It was a shock, there’s no doubt about that. I was disappointed that they’d come to that decision, but you accept that position,” he said.
“Would I have loved to have sat there and gone through what I thought was going to be the process moving forward and the strategy needed and to really go after the job that I really wanted? Yeah, I would have loved to.
“Do I 100 per cent think that I was the right person to carry this team forward? Yeah I do, because I’ve done it before, and to build this next premiership team that’s well on its way.
“But that’s the decision the board made, and I accept that decision.
“They need a new voice, they want a new voice, and they’re going to get one.”
Would he liked to have been given the chance to fight for the job?
“Yeah absolutely I would have,” he said further.
“I had a standard board meeting the week before, and didn’t have an inkling at that point. But as I said, I’m sure the board went through a thorough process.
“I can’t speak on behalf of the board, all I can speak on is what I would have loved to have done and I would have loved to have got that opportunity.”
Goodwin said he has spent time in Sydney recently and is open-minded to another role in footy, but still has a burning desire to coach.
