Simon Goodwin opens up on life after being Melbourne coach, losing his enjoyment and a return to the box with Sydney Swans
The Demons sacked their coach and traded two of their biggest stars in the space of months. Former coach Simon Goodwin says that type of drastic overhaul is set to happen more and more.
Former Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he can see himself in charge of an AFL side again in the future, after conceding he lost his enjoyment for the game in his final years at the Demons.
Goodwin was axed by the club earlier this year after nine seasons in charge, which included their drought-breaking 2021 premiership.
After taking some time out of the game, Goodwin was heavily courted by several clubs – including the GWS Giants – before signing with the Swans in the newly created role of director of coaching and performance.
In his first interview since joining Sydney, Goodwin opened up on his Melbourne exit and revealed his decision to join the Swans and work with Dean Cox was a stepping stone to regaining that enjoyment.
“I wanted to go away and think about whether I wanted a full year out of the game and where I want to go with my coaching,” Goodwin said.
“I probably had a month out, and when I wrestled with it, I realised I just love the game, and I want to keep coaching and helping. It wasn’t about taking time off from the sidelines; five months for me was enough, and now it was time to get back to something I love.
“Probably the past few years, I wasn’t enjoying it as much, but now I get a fresh start to really come back and enjoy coaching and get back into the grassroots of what coaching is all about, and I’m looking forward to that.
“I’m a passionate coach. I’m still a young coach, 48, turning 49. So I want to take some time out and help Dean and the Swans. And then when those (AFL) opportunities arise, I’ll have a look at them and see where I’m at in my life and whether it suits what I want to do.
“So, I will take that time. But I love coaching, so there’s no doubt that at some stage I’m going to find that urge to get back into it.”
In the four months since Goodwin left the Demons, the club has undergone plenty of change. They welcomed Steven King in as their new coach, while midfield stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver both departed just 12 months after being told they would be held to their contracts.
Goodwin believes rapid shifts like that will become the new norm, thanks to the results-driven nature of football. However, he will still keep an eye on his former Demons players and support them in the next chapter of their careers.
“I think we’re in an era now where change is going to be more prevalent within football clubs and within the industry,” Goodwin said.
“For the guys that I’ve coached over 10 years, I’m going to be incredibly well-connected to them over a long period of time, and I’ll always follow their journey, not only in footy, but in life.
“I’m excited to see what Christian can do at Gold Coast, and Clayton can do at GWS, and all the players who move on, Charlie Spargo to North Melbourne, Alex Neal-Bullen obviously went to Adelaide.”
As he prepares for his new chapter at the Swans, Goodwin concedes the famed Bloods culture played a part in luring him to the club. Another major element was Sydney’s new headquarters at Moore Park, with Melbourne’s Casey Fields facilities among the issues he raised by the end of his reign at the Demons.
“Footy clubs always talk about belonging and being connected to something long term,” Goodwin said. “It’s been designed not only for high performance, but building relationships and making sure we’ve got something right at our home at the SCG.”
Now his focus is solely on helping the Swans reach their full potential. With a list that has appeared in two grand finals over the past four years, there is confidence that not much has to change to get back to that level.
But rather than sit on their hands and wait, the Swans have gone all in. Goodwin’s appointment is a sign of their intent, but it was their ruthless pursuit of Charlie Curnow and the ensuing trade that could define Cox’s time in charge.
And Goodwin believes if the Swans can find that “hardened edge” that defined them throughout the early 2000s, all the pieces could be in place.
“When you play against Sydney, they’re incredibly difficult, and that’s built off competition,” Goodwin said. “They’re really hard, and it’s that hardened edge that we’re going to look for to propel us into a position to give us a chance.
“In 25 years around footy, I’ve seen the Swans and the Bloods culture has been incredibly strong. They’ve also sustained that success over a long period of time. I wanted to go and work in that, but also learn about how it’s been built.
“I know what it’s like to be a young senior coach and the support that you can need. I want to help Dean become the best senior coach he can be a build a program that the Swans’ supporters are really proud of.
“It’s a credit to the Swans that Charlie wanted to be a part of the club. That strengthens their list and gives them a focal point. But it adds to the talent that’s already here. There’s still a massive opportunity to create something pretty unique and special. Hopefully, over time, they’ll show everyone the quality of the Swans.”
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