Max Gawn Breaks Silence on Simon Goodwin's Shock Sacking
So, if you’ve been following the AFL news lately, you’ve probably heard the bombshell out of Melbourne — Simon Goodwin has been sacked as head coach of the Demons. And yes, it came as a shock to just about everyone, including club captain Max Gawn, who recently spoke out for the first time since the decision was made public.
Now, just to set the stage — Simon Goodwin isn’t just any coach. He led Melbourne to their drought-breaking premiership win in 2021. That was a historic moment for the club, and for fans, it cemented Goodwin as a club legend. So, for the club to part ways with him, especially while he was still contracted until the end of 2026, it was a pretty bold move.
Max Gawn, speaking during his Triple M radio appearance, admitted he was “shocked” by the call. And while he said he was “down in the dumps” when he first heard, he made it clear he wasn’t angry. That’s significant. Gawn said he loves the Melbourne Football Club, and even though this was a hard one to take, he’s going to support the decision — just like he has with other tough calls the club has made in the past.
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He also shared that those responsible for the sacking — people he’s got strong relationships with — had taken the time to explain their reasoning carefully, and he respected that. It’s not an easy pill to swallow, but he understands why it was done.
The reasoning from the board seems to be that the club needs a “new voice.” Melbourne’s been struggling this season, currently sitting 12th on the ladder with a 7-13 record. So while the timing surprised many, the results on the field may have made the decision feel inevitable from an internal perspective.
Gawn was diplomatic, but honest. He joked that Ed Langdon, another senior player, "butchered" his reaction when he said he didn’t agree with the move — but Gawn himself acknowledged that after nine years, a change might do some good. He also reminded listeners that “good clubs don’t wait.” It’s a line that stuck, because it shows the mindset Melbourne might be leaning into now — making tough decisions early to keep progressing.
Troy Chaplin has stepped in as interim coach, and names like Nathan Buckley, John Longmire, Adam Simpson, and Ken Hinkley are all floating around as potential long-term replacements. Gawn even put out a message to them, saying it’s a call worth taking.
So while the dust is still settling, and emotions are still raw, this could very well be a pivotal moment for the Demons. A difficult one, yes, but maybe — just maybe — the right one.
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