By Peter Ryan
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin returned to training after the Christmas break with an edge in his voice, according to skipper Max Gawn.
After their cultural issues were laid bare in 2024, the Demons began pre-season on a camp in Bright. It was there that Goodwin told the group there was no point putting their runners on for a time trial until everyone involved in the football program had the chance to say their piece.
Leadership coach Ben Crowe was appointed to facilitate the process.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has taken charge as the Demons seek redemption in 2025. Credit: The Age
“The fact we had someone external and we went away to Bright, which made it more unique being in a different place. We got some really good people who got up and told some good home truths and some good stories ... the stuff off the field is really exciting,” Gawn said.
“To be able to start [the year] on an even playing field and even potentially with a positive, given what we have delved into in this space would put us ahead of some groups in this space, then our footy can do the talking.
“We don’t have to start in the negative and clean up what is happening off the field while trying to play competitive footy against sides better than us both [on and off the field].
Max Gawn at Tuesday’s launch of the Demons’ new partner Grill’d Burgers in Hawthorn.Credit: Melbourne Football Club
“We lost everything last year. We would like to get our identity back in defence but in the middle and forward throw a little left hook and show we can play offence.”
Goodwin, who is contracted until 2026 and was married in Bali during the break, enters his ninth season as Demons coach in charge of a team looking to atone for unwanted headlines off the field since he led them to a drought-breaking flag in 2021.
Gawn said Goodwin’s competitive streak had been evident following the club-wide review and the soul-searching that followed star midfielder Christian Petracca’s unhappiness with the club’s direction and Clayton Oliver’s attempt to secure a trade, which led to him meeting Geelong players in October.
“He’s [Goodwin] been open to feedback. He has given us some feedback. He’s got married and since his wedding – he must have had some time to think in Bali – he has come back with a bit of an edge,” Gawn said. “He has got his competitive voice back, and he’s back into training and he’s yelling. It’s good.
Christian Salem, Gawn and Jack Viney at Grill’d.Credit: Melburne Football Club
“He’s always used the guys around him and good coaches do, but he has made a focus, I think, since coming back from Christmas that he is going to take charge and ride us and get us going.”
Melbourne have not won a final since their 2021 triumph, going out in straight sets in 2022 and 2023 before slumping to finish 13th after losing Petracca to injury in the King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood as the club became mired in negativity.
However, an off-season of change off the field – Brad Green has replaced Kate Roffey as president and Gary Pert announced he was finishing up as CEO – was combined with heart-to-heart discussions between club leaders and players.
Gawn, who was launching the club’s new major partnership with Grill’d Burgers in Hawthorn, said the Demons were determined to let “our footy do the talking”, the intense pre-season designed to improve connection at the club.
“We certainly think we can match it with the big boys but we needed to get our other stuff fixed and to a level where other clubs are, and I think we have,” Gawn said.
Despite the interruption caused by a broken rib, Gawn believes Petracca is setting himself up to remind everyone what the Demons missed when he was out injured for the final 10 games of the season last year.
“He’s really fit and he hasn’t told us this yet but somewhere on his goals list will be ‘I want to pay back for the [10] weeks I missed. I want to get going and be the best player I can be’. It will be somewhere there,” Gawn said.
Petracca’s combination with Oliver will be crucial if the club is to compete, while Gawn expects to return to contact training this week after recovering from a fractured larynx he suffered before Christmas.
“[Clayton] has got himself to the point where he is training extremely well,” Gawn said.
“We certainly think we can match it with the big boys. I hope we can play a brand of football Melbourne supporters are excited about and be 43 players who have come together to play for each other.”
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