MELBOURNE will travel to Perth determined to deliver its brand of football against a building West Coast side.

Simon Goodwin says the team has put significant work into its style over the past month, with a focus on showing up consistently and playing a brand that holds up anywhere.

Excited by new leadership

With the recent appointment of Paul Guerra as CEO, Goodwin said it’s an exciting time for the club.

“It’s very exciting for the footy club to have Paul join. He comes from a great background, has enormous experience, and I think he’s going to provide great stability,” Goodwin said.

“I’ve only had a really brief conversation with him, but it’s certainly been one of support and about working on how we generate a really high-performing footy club.”

Goodwin said he expects to spend more time with Paul over the next week and is looking forward to developing a strong working relationship.

The Challenge of the Eagles

The Demons return to Perth this week to take on West Coast, a trip Goodwin isn’t taking lightly.

“You can certainly see they’ve been building the last couple of weeks,” he said of the Eagles.

“We’re under no illusions about the challenge of going to Perth—it’s somewhere we want to go and play our best footy.”

Asked about last year’s losses in WA, Goodwin was clear in his response.

“Clearly our performances last year in Perth, both against West Coast and Fremantle, weren’t to the level,” he said.

“We’ve been working really hard on our style of play over the last month and how we show up week after week. We want to be a team that’s really hard to play against, no matter where or who we’re playing.”

Rivers’ role remains flexible

Trent Rivers has spent time in defence over the last month, but Goodwin says his midfield future is clear.

“Look, in time, he’s going to be an outstanding midfielder for a long time at our footy club,” he said.

“Right now, we’ve had to play him down back due to personnel. With Jed McVee and Caleb Windsor coming back, that gives us some great flexibility with Trent. We will work out from week-to-week where we can play him.”

“The great thing is, he’s in great form. These last two weeks have been outstanding.”

Selection decisions loom

Melbourne will face genuine selection pressure this week, with multiple players returning and strong VFL performances adding to the mix.

“This is probably the first time for the year where we’ve had a real challenge in selecting our best team—which is great,” Goodwin said.

“Jake Melksham was managed last week, he’s available again. Jacob van Rooyen and Aidan Johnson both had six or seven shots on goal each, played some terrific footy. Daniel Turner’s back from concussion. So, we’ve got some decisions to make. It’s the first time this year where we have had a real challenge in selecting our best team, which is a great position to be in.”

Lindsay a future leader

Xavier Lindsay earned a Rising Star nomination last weekend and continues to impress in his debut season.

“He’s just an impressive kid,” Goodwin said.

“Since the day he walked in, he’s been very coachable. Whatever you teach him or tell him to do, he goes and does it.”

“He sees the game incredibly well and I can see him being a future leader at our footy club.”

Tackling under the spotlight

Goodwin also weighed in on the current debate around tackling and the match review process.

“We coach our players to roll people in the tackle and make it as safe as possible,” he said.

“There’s no doubt the AFL is trying to make the game as safe as possible. Now whether the decision [on Paul Curtis] was right or wrong—there’s been enough said around that.”

“All we can do is continue to coach our players to tackle in the safest and most effective way where you can limit harm.”