IN ROUND 13, Simon Goodwin became the 86th person to coach 100 VFL/AFL games.
But with the first of those matches being for Essendon (as a caretaker coach in 2013), this Saturday night’s clash at the MCG marks a special milestone for the Demons.
Goodwin joins just four other coaches in leading Melbourne out on 100 occasions, and he’ll be looking to celebrate by adding a 54th win to his name.
In recognition of this achievement, take a look at 10 of his best days at the office since taking the reins in 2017.
Goodwin’s Top 10 Wins
Round 1, 2017 vs St Kilda
Goodwin’s tenure with the Dees got off to a flyer on a Saturday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
After a 23-point deficit at quarter-time, the match turned in Melbourne’s favour, with a seven-goal second term helping the red and blue claim a 30-point victory.
Round 12, 2017 vs Collingwood
It was a Queen’s Birthday to remember at the MCG, as Goodwin tasted success in front of 70,926 fans for Big Freeze 3.
The four-point win was the narrowest of his young coaching career, and topped off by a running Jack Watts goal that may never be forgotten.
Round 14, 2017 v West Coast
Two weeks later there was another thriller for the Dees, as Tom McDonald got boot to ball to pinch one against the Eagles.
It was an upset victory in Melbourne's last game at Subiaco Oval, and one of its best finishes in recent seasons.
Round 10, 2018 v Adelaide
Coming off a 109-point win over Carlton, the Demons cemented themselves as a genuine finals contender with a thrashing of the Crows in the NT.
Running away with a 91-point win – the second largest for Goodwin to date –, it was a 23-goal onslaught against the previous year’s grand finalists that had the football world talking.
Round 22, 2018 v West Coast
A trip to Perth stood between the Demons and their first finals appearance in 12 years, but they were up for the challenge.
After leading for the entire afternoon, the Eagles hit the front at the 18-minute mark of the fourth term, but the last three goals of the game handed Melbourne its long-awaited September berth.
Elimination Final, 2018
The Demons showed they weren’t satisfied with simply breaking their finals hoodoo, they were there to win.
A five-goal to none opening term set the scene at the MCG, as Melbourne shocked the Cats and advanced to another Friday night play-off.
Semi Final, 2018
After a tied first quarter against the Hawks in the Semi Final, it was a game of momentum.
The last three majors of the third term handed Melbourne a 32-point buffer, and despite a scare at the start of the fourth, the Dees finished strong to give Goodwin a second win from as many finals appearances.
Round 17, 2020 v GWS
On the back of a testing week in Cairns, the Demons could easily have checked out of their hub journey two weeks early.
But a gutsy showing against GWS at The Gabba, and a Trent Rivers winner, kept Melbourne’s mathematical finals hopes alive.
Round 6, 2021 v Richmond
After defeating an undermanned Geelong two weeks prior, the Demons needed a scalp, and on their biggest stage of all.
They did just that against the Tigers on ANZAC Day Eve, with Goodwin banking a win against the only side who he was yet to conquer.
Round 9, 2021 v Carlton
Sure, the 26-point victory over Carlton wasn’t one for the highlights reel, but its meaning was significant.
Goodwin became the first person since Norm Smith in 1956 to lead the Dees to a 9-0 start to the season, with premiership aspirations legitimised.
