OUTGOING senior coach Simon Goodwin has thanked those that came along for the ride in his final Melbourne Demons media conference, praising the team around him that led to the Demons’ drought-breaking premiership win.
Goodwin said he had no regrets and will be forever thankful for his experiences at the club, while turning down the invitation to coach out the season to give his players clear air for the remainder of the year.
Club President Brad Green gave insight into the decision-making process and the state of the playing group as the duo fronted the media at the MCG this afternoon.
Brad Green on why now
“I think giving Simon the respect once we made a decision, I think he needed to know,” Green said.
“Last night we’d come to that decision and literally I got straight out into the car and I phoned him.
“I think for our program to go forward, once you make a decision with three games to go, we're looking forward to the future.
“This is not about Simon’s coaching career. Simon can coach. Simon's got the energy and the fight, we just believe that the club was looking for a new voice and a new leader to take this group forward.”
Brad Green on the response of the playing group
“I spoke to the playing group half an hour to an hour ago. They're obviously disappointed,” Green said.
“I've been in their position. I was a player and it's tough. They would be hurting.
“Simon's a premiership coach. He's a terrific person. They've got the utmost respect for their senior coach and a premiership coach of theirs.
“He's got great friendships. And I know the character that he is, but yeah they’ll be hurting. I was when I lost the senior coach (during my career) and I know how they're feeling.”
Brad Green on the remainder of the season
“I spoke to him last night about thinking about coaching for the last three games and I respect Simon’s decision about not wanting to do that,” Green said.
“It would be tough. I said to him, would you like to coach the last three games but I respect his decision.”
Simon Goodwin on what he’ll miss
“I'm going to miss the players first and foremost,” Goodwin said.
“I've got some amazing relationships with some guys I’ve coached for an incredibly long time and it's not just seeing them grow as players but seeing them grow as people.
“I'm going to miss giving George Gawn a bag of lollies after every win we have.
“I'm going to miss seeing Melky. I've coached him since he was 17. Tommy Mac I'm going to miss. I'm going to miss the people first and foremost.”
Simon Goodwin on talking to the leaders
“I've had an enormous amount of messages and phone calls,” Goodwin said.
“Gawny rang and we had we had a really long chat about the journey, about his sadness for me not being here and being a part of it.
“Obviously there's a lot of sadness for me as well. We'll sit down and have a coffee, have a beer and relax and really debrief what's been an incredible nine years.
“I love coaching these players. They've given their all for this football club. And that's something I'll cherish forever.”
Simon Goodwin on building from the bottom
“I was very lucky to come to a club that was right down the bottom,” Goodwin said.
“When I first came to the Melbourne footy club, everyone said that you're never going to achieve anything at the Melbourne Football Club.
“I was really fortunate to be part of a group of people that built something really special then got us to the pinnacle.
“Not only getting us there, we were able to stay there for a couple of years post, in the top four which is really hard to do.
“I've been blessed to work with so many good people, I wouldn't change anything.
“What we're going through now is a very natural progression of where you’ve got to go to as a footy club. I'm excited about my next challenge, my next chapter.”
Simon Goodwin on being the drought breaker
“Obviously I wanted to have success but when you get touted with that drought-breaking tag (it feels wrong),” Goodwin said.
“Because there's so many people that make up a good football club and there's so many people that make up a good team, and I was just lucky enough to be part of that journey.
“For me personally, I'm more indebted to the people that helped me.
“It’s the Todd Vineys, the Josh Mahoneys, the Peter Jacksons that really laid the foundations for this footy club and built the stability for a six year period to put the pieces in place to have success.
“They're the guys that should be credited the most with the success of winning that Premiership.”
Simon Goodwin on why he won’t coach the season out
“It's just to give the players the clear air,” Goodwin said.
“I talked to our players about the team first mentality, and no one's bigger than the club or bigger than the team, and it just gives them a pathway forward to finish the year really strongly.
I didn't want it to be about me. I wanted it to be about the players, the progress that they've had. Hopefully they can finish off the year really strongly.
Simon Goodwin on being thankful
“Can I just say before I go, I just want to thank the supporters, the coaches, the players, the wider football community for the support you've given me over nine years,” Goodwin said.
“It's been a real ride. I'm looking forward to the next challenge and just thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support, it’s been terrific.”
