Demons ‘in the box seat’ for rival coach as Goodwin facing ‘three games to save his job’

Simon Goodwin may have as little as three games left to save his job at Melbourne, and a rival coach has emerged as his possible replacement.

Simon Goodwin “might have as few as three games” to prove his credentials as Melbourne’s senior coach after slumping to 0-5 for the first time since 2012, with a rival coach reportedly in the struggling’s club’s sights.

But there’s more positive news regarding the future of one of the club’s stars.

Including last Saturday’s loss to Essendon at Gather Round, since Round 19 of last season, Goodwin’s side has gone a meagre 1-11 to well and truly heat the 48-year-old’s seat.

In the first half of its 39-point defeat at the hands of the Bombers, Melbourne managed just two goals from 28 inside-50s — a seven per cent scoring rate. They also had 16 centre-bounce clearances for just one point.

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Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph revealed mixed news on On the Couch that Goodwin might have “as few as three” weeks to save his coaching job — but added that Christian Petracca ‘backs’ the Demons and isn’t seeking a trade despite past speculation.

Christian Petracca says he’s settled at the Demons. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Simon Goodwin might have as few as three games to save his AFL coaching career, but at least he will do so with the backing, right now, of Christian Petracca,” Ralph reported.

“So much talk about a trade, (but) I spoke to his manager Anna Scullie tonight — she tells Fox Footy there is no prospect of him asking for a trade.

“I can tell you he is committed from moving on from that issue and from the past, so much so that he’s actually dropped out of the AFLPA joining an investigation into that injury on King’s Birthday.

“He met with AFL football boss Laura Kane, he says now that he cannot be part of that investigation, needs to back in the club doctor and his teammates and of course the senior officials at the club.

“Scullie tells Fox Footy he’s committed to Melbourne, he’s showing that leadership, he’s really committed to getting through this year and next year ... he has not entered that (a trade) into his psyche.”

Meanwhile Seven’s Caroline Wilson reports out-of-contract Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is “very much on Melbourne’s radar”.

“It’s too early to be calling Simon Goodwin finished at the Melbourne Football Club, but club bosses are now anticipating that is a possibility and they are declaring Luke Beveridge would very much be an option for them.

“Luke Beveridge is a past player and remains close with many past Melbourne players. Clearly that’s not going to get him the job.

“But Melbourne is very impressed by what Luke Beveridge did with the transformational effect he had on the Western Bulldogs.

“The Bulldogs are still not decided whether they’re going to offer Beveridge a new contract. I think they know other clubs are going to start looking. My view is, with Carlton probably looking around as well, I think Melbourne is in the box seat.”

Goodwin’s Demons beat Beveridge’s Bulldogs in Melbourne’s drought-breaking 2021 flag.

Could Luke Beveridge replace Simon Goodwin at Melbourne?

In the next three weeks, the Demons play Fremantle, Richmond and West Coast, with Ralph adding: “As for Goodwin, the ground, unfortunately, is crumbling beneath him ... if Melbourne is 0-8 or 1-7 at that stage, the club will have to consider making decisions.”

Four-time premiership player and former Demon Jordan Lewis said he “felt for the players” after the Demons’ latest disenchanting outing.

“It just seemed to me like they’re out on the field and there just wasn’t the clarity or the automation (that) the good teams play (with),” he said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“Two goals in the first half, that’s unacceptable.

“I think that’s why Simon Goodwin holds optimism, because you do on paper see the calibre of players that are out there. His job is to get them playing to their capabilities.”

Triple Richmond premiership forward Jack Riewoldt expressed concern trust “is becoming an issue”.

“We heard a lot through the pre-season about the culture they were building around this connection of love — it was a word that we heard a lot from the Melbourne Football Club — but at the moment, I look at a side that doesn’t trust,” he told Fox Footy on Monday night.

“I think in the way that they’re selling their story, you think about the Melbourne story from the fact that Christian Petracca got injured late last year in a pretty threatening injury, and it’s come to light that Simon Goodwin hasn’t reached out to his family until the last four weeks.

“That might be Simon Goodwin’s fault, that might be a miscommunication ... but that’s a trust issue that any business is built off trust. And at the moment, the way they are playing looks like they don’t trust each other.

“Have we been duped a little bit by this Melbourne culture and thinking that they can just talk it into existence?”

Originally published as Demons ‘in the box seat’ for rival coach as Goodwin facing ‘three games to save his job’