AFL 2022: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin tests positive to Covid-19

Adem Yze will take the coaching reins of the undefeated Demons this weekend after a Covid setback.

Simon Goodwin has been sidelined by Covid-19. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin will miss Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn after testing positive to Covid-19.

He joins a list of AFL coaches who have been forced to watch their teams from isolation this season, including Carlton’s Michael Voss and St Kilda’s Brett Ratten.

The stand-in coaches have an unbeaten record this season, with Carlton’s Ash Hansen and St Kilda’s Brendon Lade winning games when their head coaches were forced into isolation.

Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze will take charge of his first AFL game, with the Demons’ midfield coach to take the reins against his former club.

Yze joined Melbourne as an assistant coaching 2021 season after six years of experience under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.

We have a coach swap this weekend. 🔁

Adem Yze will take the reins on Saturday afternoon, with Simon Goodwin testing positive to COVID-19.

📝: https://t.co/K2w5FHcA7e

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) April 26, 2022

Yze, who played 271 games with Melbourne before joining the coaching ranks, said replacing Goodwin would be a team effort.

“It won’t be just myself – obviously everyone’s got to step up,” Yze said.

“I’ll just be the face of it this week, but I feel comfortable doing it.”

Melbourne is undefeated through the opening six rounds of the season and raging favourites to go back-to-back and win another premiership.