Simon Goodwin set to sign contract extension after helping break Demons’ finals drought

FORMER Melbourne coach Paul Roos has backed Simon Goodwin to earn a certain contract extension in the off-season after leading the Demons to a drought-breaking finals appearance.

FORMER Melbourne coach Paul Roos has backed Simon Goodwin to earn a certain contract extension in the off-season.

Goodwin, 41, is out of contract at the end of next season and is expected to begin talks on a new deal after this year’s finals series is over.

The Dees last weekend secured their first September appearance in 12 years and can lock-in a first-round home elimination final with a win over GWS Giants.

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Securing Goodwin’s signature will be one of the first major items facing incoming chief executive Gary Pert.

Roos said Goodwin thoroughly deserved a contract extension for continuing Melbourne’s climb up the ladder, with a 57 per cent winning record over his first two seasons.

“It’s a no-brainer, really,” Roos told the Herald Sun.

Simon Goodwin talks to Oscar McDonald at Melbourne training.

“He has had two really good years in charge of a developing team, a team on the rise, and there’s still a bit to play out on the field this season.

“But I am 100 per cent supportive of what Simon’s done and how he has developed the team.

“Finals was probably the pass mark for the club this season and they have achieved that.

“So I think it would be a great decision to re-sign him and I suspect they will lock it away in the off-season.”

Melbourne is sixth favourite ($13) to win its first premiership since 1964 this year despite a slew of key injuries to star defender Jake Lever (knee), Jesse Hogan (foot) and Jack Viney (foot).

Lauded for his strong player relationships, Goodwin joined Melbourne from Essendon in 2014 as part of a senior coaching succession plan under Roos.

Paul Roos and Simon Goodwin. Picture: Michael Klein

The former gun Adelaide midfielder spent two seasons under Roos being groomed for the role before taking over at the end of 2016.

The succession plan has helped Melbourne emerge from one of the darkest and most unsuccessful periods in the club’s history.

Roos sad the coaching stability and certainty had been an important pillar in the Dees’ resurgence.

“That was really the plan for Glen (Bartlett), Peter (Jackson) and myself when I took over, just to give the club some stability and they have got that,” Roos said.

“I thought their season was really good last year, despite missing finals by a narrow margin but they were still a young team.

“Their body of work over the past two years has been really strong and he has continued to push the team higher up the ladder.”

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Originally published as Simon Goodwin set to sign contract extension after helping break Demons’ finals drought