Melbourne president Glen Bartlett’s spray put target on coach Simon Goodwin’s back
With Melbourne on a knife’s edge, a withering spray from president Glen Bartlett put a target on the back of coach Simon Goodwin. So what happens if the Demons lose this week? Mark Robinson ponders.
Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Melbourne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Glen Bartlett let his emotions get the better of him on Friday night.
He’s not the first club president to launch about his team in the media and he won’t be the last but, in doing so, Bartlett put a target on coach Simon Goodwin’s back.
He also put a target on his own back.
Watch Footy LIVE & On-Demand Every Day from July 29 – August 17 with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Because in the unlikely event Goodwin is sacked at the end of this strange season, Bartlett, who appointed Goodwin and then extended Goodwin’s contract until the end of the 2022 season, is not short on responsibility either.
Usually, the media is accused of firing the first shot in the kill-the-coach season, but, no, this time it was a president.
Make no mistake, an angry president talking to the media is front row seating at the theatre, but beyond the theatre is a reality that dastardly consequences are in motion.
Bartlett’s strong comments to the Herald Sun on Friday, less than 24 hours after his team capitulated to Brisbane, has undoubtedly heaped pressure on Goodwin.
Maybe that was Bartlett’s intention.
Maybe he’s had enough of the poor footy from the team for the past season and a half.
Just maybe he now has doubts about Goodwin.
Clearly, the coach is on notice. And the footy department. But so, too, is the board.
Tomorrow night Melbourne plays the worst-performing team in the AFL — Adelaide in Adelaide.
Bartlett’s comments dripped with irritation and exasperation and there were probably tens of thousands of Demons fans who found themselves immersed in the same frustration after the side was crushed by Port Adelaide on the Thursday.
Bartlett called the team soft and accused the players of having no pride in the jumper.
They are foreboding words from the commander-in-chief.
So, what does Bartlett say if the Demons lose to the Crows?
Better still, what does he do?
Because after words come actions.
MORE AFL:
Ross Lyon defends Melbourne president Glen Bartlett’s brutal assessment of ‘soft as butter’ Demons
Brooke Cotchin breaks her silence over COVID protocol breaches and Mitch Cleary being stood down
AFL teams for Round 10: All the ins and outs
Unfortunately for Goodwin, there is always that one game when, rightly or wrongly, the result means everything.
Ask every coach who has been sacked. They know the exact game and they knew it before it was played.
If the Demons lose to the Crows, another outpouring of Bartlett’s displeasure will mean nothing.
We’ve heard it already, so what’s next?
He can’t call for another review of the football department because they had one at the end of last year. About 15 football department staff were let go or moved on as a result.
That leaves individuals under the spotlight.
Is it Goodwin alone? Does it include football boss Josh Mahoney?
Of course, if the Demons win they will be 4-5 — a game in hand against Essendon — and still in the mix for finals.
But if they lose …
It should be noted this is not chief executive Gary Pert’s domain.
He was early into his regime and this contract extension was strictly a board appointment, this was absolutely a Bartlett appointment.
And now Bartlett is frustrated.
And now Goodwin should be worried.
The Demons are on a knife’s edge on and off the field.
They looked slow after the four-day break — and that could explain the lethargy in Brisbane against Port — and the skipper Max Gawn had scans on Monday and has to be in doubt to play.
It is massive for everyone at Melbourne. For the players. For the coach. And for the president.
Because cracks have suddenly emerged and if there isn’t a response on the field, there’s certainly one expected off it.