Max Gawn’s photo troll to support Simon Goodwin as good as it gets

Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn has jumped to the defence of embattled coach Simon Goodwin with a provocative gesture of support.

Max Gawn and Simon Goodwin.

Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn has jumped to the defence of embattled coach Simon Goodwin with a cheeky social media post following allegations of drinking, gambling and workplace bullying.

On Tuesday morning, the Herald Sun reported Melbourne’s board was forced to investigate claims of ­Goodwin’s alleged behavioural issues from 2018 to early 2021.

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Several ­directors at the Demons were so alarmed by the allegations, they reportedly discussed standing Goodwin down ahead of the 2021 season — before his team went on to win the premiership.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan also took issue with Goodwin drinking with players at the Hotel Sorrento, calling the behaviour “crazy”.

But Gawn has defiantly stood by his coach, uploading an image to Instagram of himself enjoying a wedding beverage with Goodwin and groom Myles Pitt at the Hotel Sorrento in a provocative gesture of support.

“Planning 22’ at the local,” Gawn captioned the post.

The Demons captain’s post was liked by teammates Clayton Oliver and James Harmes.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gawn said he had no issue with Goodwin’s behaviour and vowed to continue enjoying social time with his under-fire coach.

“I am going to continue to have a beer with my boss and my coach and what we learnt over a couple of beers at the pub at our local at the time, maybe that is when we nutted out 2021 and we were able to go on to what we did,” the ruckman said.

“I am going to continue to do that in a professional sense and just ‘chew the fat’ at 1 o’clock on a Saturday arvo.”

Demons president Kate Roffey released a statement on Tuesday, confirming Goodwin’s behaviour had been reviewed by the club.

“On behalf of the current board, I would like to make it incredibly clear that Simon Goodwin, as the current reigning premiership coach and AFL coach of the year, is an exceptional leader of our Football Club,” the statement read.

“Simon along with other club leaders Gary Pert and Alan Richardson have driven a high-performance culture that has led to a premiership and made my board and all Melbourne supporters proud of this club.

“I want to make this very clear, I look forward to Simon continuing to evolve as a coach and leader at the Melbourne Football Club for many more years to come.”

Roffey continued to say that there had been a review of the football program by chief executive Gary Pert at the end of the 2022 season.

She said the review found Goodwin was “the right man to lead our club” but he was given some feedback.

Max Gawn and Simon Goodwin. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“During these feedback discussions, Simon totally rejected any accusations of bullying behaviour and as the Club President, I totally support Simon rejecting those accusations,” Roffey added.

“Simon is an inclusive leader who is loved by the players, coaches and staff and goes out of his way to build genuine relationships throughout the football department and broader club.

“Following the review, Simon, Alan Richardson, Max Gawn and the club’s leadership group led the charge in ensuring all areas for improvement outlined in the review were acted upon.

“They embedded the club’s values of trust, respect, unity and excellence within our football department and they continue to do so.

“The character and strength of our people saw us achieve great things in season 2021 and we are excited to see what we can do in 2022 and beyond.”

Goodwin was named 2021 Coach of the Year at last year’s AFL Coaches Association awards having won a premiership with the Demons.

Melbourne defeated the Western Bulldogs 21.14 (140) to 10.6 (66) in the AFL grand final at Perth’s Optus Stadium to clinch its first flag since 1964.

Goodwin’s gambling led him to being suspended as a player in 2007 after he placed four bets involving AFL matches totalling $16,024.58.