Simon Goodwin full statement: Melbourne president Kate Roffey defends premiership coach

Melbourne president Kate Roffey has launched a strong defence of Simon Goodwin and revealed the coach’s response to accusations of bullying. READ THE FULL STATEMENT

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Simon Goodwin, coach of the Demons speaks to his team during a break during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on August 24, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Melbourne president Kate Roffey said coach Simon Goodwin rejected “any accusations of bullying behaviour” during feedback sessions following the 2020 season.

Roffey said Goodwin was given the feedback as part of a “thorough and professional” review of the football program, conducted by club CEO Gary Pert.

The review resulted in “many important personnel and program changes which set our club up for a record-breaking performance including our 13th premiership in 2021”, Roffey said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday morning that secret documents had shown that Melbourne’s board had considered standing down coach Goodwin on the eve of the 2021 premiership season as it investigated claims of ­serious behavioural issues and bullying.

Leaked emails, board memos and transcripts of meetings reveal several ­directors, including then-president Glen Bartlett, were so alarmed about allegations regarding Goodwin’s lifestyle and workplace bullying they discussed standing him down.

Kate Roffey embraces Simon Goodwin after Melbourne’s Grand Final win. Picture: Michael Klein.

Bartlett was forced out of the club last April and head doctor Zeeshan Arain was sacked days after raising concerns about Goodwin’s behaviour and the club culture with chief executive Gary Pert in October 2020.

AFL supremo Gillon McLachlan described Simon Goodwin’s decision to drink and gamble with players as “crazy” in a crisis meeting with Melbourne officials in February last year about the coach’s behaviour.

Roffey’s statement did not directly reference the Herald Sun’s reporting of the inner turmoil that beset the club in its golden year, including claims of serious behavioural issues against Goodwin and the coach drinking and gambling.

READ MELBOURNE PRESIDENT KATE ROFFEY’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW

Nor did the statement mention the sudden departure of Bartlett, the sacking of long-time club doctor Dr Arain nor the series of crisis board meetings and the level with the AFL.

“As has been widely publicised, at the conclusion at the 2020 home and away season the Melbourne Football Club Board commissioned a review of the Football Program which was conducted by CEO Gary Pert,” Roffey said in her statement.

“The review was thorough and professional and resulted in many important personnel and program changes which set our club up for a record-breaking performance including our 13th premiership in 2021.

Kate Roffey with the 2021 Premiership trophy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL/Getty

“As part of the review Gary spoke to over 40 people both internal and external to the club including players, coaches, and staff.

“All feedback and conversations were taken incredibly seriously and followed through using the club’s standard governance processes.

“At the completion of the review process, the resulting recommendations were presented to the board at the time, and which were unanimously signed off and endorsed.”

The statement said the recommendations resulted in the club implementing many personnel and program changes across the football department including the coaching, high performance, and medical areas.

Simon Goodwin (R). Picture: Michael Klein

“As previously communicated to Melbourne supporters, the review reaffirmed Simon Goodwin as the right man to lead our club, and ultimately to drive us to premiership success,” Roffey said.

“As expected from any review, the final recommendations outlined areas for improvement for several key staff within the football program, that feedback was given and welcomed by Simon and others as a way of improving our young leaders who are driving the cultural change.

“Simon, like many others within the department, was given this feedback and embraced the opportunity it provided to evolve and improve as a coach.

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

“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.”

Roffey said she looked forward to Goodwin continuing “to evolve as a coach and leader at the Melbourne Football Club for many more years to come”.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

EX-PLAYERS, DEES GREAT WEIGH IN ON GOODWIN REVELATIONS

Melbourne champion David Schwarz said it wasn’t a good look that Goodwin was gambling with players.

Schwarz, who himself has battled with gambling addiction, said parents of Demons players should be concerned that a senior coach would engage in that behaviour.

“For them to look at it there must have been serious concern at Simon and his behaviour,” he said on 3AW.

“He has had a wretched run with it and to put it in front of young vulnerable men … I don’t think it is a great look.

“I think he needs to distance himself from that sort of behaviour.

“I don’t mind them having a beer but I think sitting down for a long time and gambling with players I think there needs to be a separation.

“He is their boss.”

Former Demon David Schwarz has questioned why Simon Goodwin would be gambling with players.

David Schwarz wrote a book about his own experiences with gambling issues.

EXCLUSIVE: GOODWIN BEHAVIOUR PROMPTED DEES CRISIS TALKS

Schwarz said he knew “there were rumblings” with people concerned at Goodwin’s behaviour.

He said Goodwin should retain his position at the Demons.

“I think they have dealt with it,” he said.

“They have brought in support … they have surrounded him with good people.”

Josh Jenkins says a coach drinking and gambling with players is “not a massive story”.

Former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins said the workplace bullying allegations against Goodwin were more serious than claims he would drink and gamble with players in public.

“The fact that the chief, Gil (McLachlan), felt the need to step in … and even went as far to say ‘you need to consider removing him if his behaviour warrants’. That’s pretty strong,” Jenkins said on SEN radio.

“The fact that Gillon said that he was down at the pub gambling and drinking, that’s not gigantic to me. I’ve seen that before in my time, a coach trying to bond and have a good time with their players and show they’re human as well. That’s not a massive story. But the fact that the chief of the AFL has stepped in and said you need to give this some consideration about removing him, that’s pretty big.”

Adelaide champion Mark Ricciuto, who played in a premiership with Goodwin at the Crows, leapt to the defence of his friend.

“Players come there because they love Goodie. Look how they (celebrated) after the premiership,” Ricciuto said on Triple M radio.

“He was up on their shoulders for Christ’s sake. They love how close he is. So having a beer and a bet with your mates on Boxing Day is hardly an issue in my eyes.”