Simon Goodwin says Melbourne will add ‘excitement and flair’, talks club captaincy
NEW Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expects the Demons to add some excitement and flair to their game in 2017 while remaining coy on the club captaincy.
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NEW Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expects the Demons to add some excitement and flair to their game in 2017.
Goodwin said there would only be small changes to the gameplan installed by former coach Paul Roos and competitiveness and contested ball would continue to be the foundations of Demons success.
The Demons finished 11th in 2016 averaging 13 goals a game, equal eighth best in the AFL, and 13 goals against, 11th best.
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Goodwin said there was plenty for the Melbourne faithful to get excited about.
“There’ll be some little tinkering with how we play but ultimately what I think our supporters should be excited about is the youth and competitiveness around the footy,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Hopefully when they walk away from the MCG on a Saturday or Sunday they’re starting to see that competitiveness and contested ball brand starting to emerge and that’s something that’s going to remain consistent with our playing group.
“We’ll certainly add some excitement and flair to how we move the ball and hopefully stretch some defences as well.”
After winning 10 games this year, Goodwin said the Demons aspired to play finals in 2017 but still had a lot of work to do.
“We aspire to play finals. We’d be mad if we didn’t have that aspiration,” he said.
“We had 10 wins last year, getting another two or three wins to make the eight is a significant jump.”
Goodwin also spoke about the Demons’ leadership and was happy with the growth within the playing group.
The Demons have struggled to develop young leaders since the move to appoint Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove backfired in 2012.
Nathan Jones was appointed captain 2014 and Goodwin believed the midfielder no longer had to carry the burden on his own.
“What we are looking to do is develop a group of leaders. That’s something the club has been crying out for for a number of years,” he said.
“We’re really excited by the depth of leadership we’re starting to get. Max Gawn, Tom McDonald, Jack are really emerging as strong leaders at the footy club.
“Nathan has done a terrific job and continues to emerge as a really strong leader so we’re looking to get a group of leaders to move the club forward.”
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