AFL Round 11 Melbourne v St Kilda: Ed Langdon lauds Simon Goodwin and the Demons culture after London trip

‘I felt it in the legs the last quarter’ – Ed Langdon made a stark admission after Sunday’s win. But, at the same time, praised how the Demons leaders handled his surprise mid-season trip.

Max Gawn of the Demons celebrates

Melbourne star wingman Ed Langdon has lauded coach Simon Goodwin and the club’s culture after receiving permission to miss a game for his sister’s wedding last week.

The Demons brushed aside St Kilda by 38 points at the MCG on Sunday after Langdon missed last week’s loss to West Coast in Perth so he could fly to London for four days with family.

Melbourne’s culture has been criticised this year, while Goodwin has also come under attack from his former president Glen Bartlett in court over the handling of Bartlett’s exit from the club in 2021.

But Langdon said there was a “special environment” at Melbourne and was adamant Goodwin “didn’t hesitate” to give the wedding plan the green light.

“It’s a credit to ‘Goody’ and the culture we have built at our footy club that the club feels comfortable to let a player go mid-season if it is really important to them, which it was,” Langdon said.

“They were super supportive from the get-go and we put a plan in place.

“It is incredible to have a coach so supportive of player welfare and each case is individual, players will have things pop up here and there.

“To have completely unwavering support from the club – it is a pretty special environment and culture to be a part of.”

Ed Langdon celebrates with teammate Jacob van Rooyen on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Langdon, 28, had 17 touches playing more forward on Sunday and recorded the fifth-highest speed of any player in the game at 31.3 km/h.

The wingman, who will face his former side Fremantle in Alice Springs on Sunday, said he used the weekend off to help refresh his legs, even though he was running low on energy late on Sunday in the win over the Saints which left Ross Lyon’s men in fourth-last spot.

“It was a lot of travel, and I felt it in the legs the last quarter probably,” Langdon said.

“I have been back for the best part of a week now, so it was a normal preparation for me.

“I was probably only on the ground (in London) for four days, it was as much as I can get but certainly worthwhile.

“We viewed it as a break for me physically. I have had a reasonably high workload, so I was given the opportunity to have a rest and rest the legs.”

Melbourne shrugged off a lacklustre first half to topple the Saints comfortably at the MCG to sit fourth on the ladder with seven wins.

Simon Goodwin during the win over St Kilda. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Langdon said the Demons focused on their contest and forward half turnovers in the second half and were well-placed to maximise their forward half conversion in 2024 after a sloppy September last year.

He said it was important to respond after last week’s shock loss to West Coast and was adamant the Demons were more efficient in the forward half.

“It was a huge focus over summer for us, how we are going to move the ball and trying to help our forwards and give them the best opportunity to put their strengths on show,” he said.

“I certainly think we have come a long way with that. Certainly there’s areas of improvement.

“The way our team is gelling, it’s all pretty positive.”

From near-late out to demolition man: Gawn tears Saints to shreds

For 30 minutes pre-game it looked like Max Gawn wouldn’t play on Sunday.

With massive strapping around his calf, the superstar ruckman was clearly less than 100 per cent as he was put through extensive fitness test in the middle of the MCG.

For a while Gawn loomed as a late out, but there is good reason why the skipper is the AFL’s Mr Indestructible.

Gawn not only played, he demolished St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall to lead the Demons to a 38-point win and brush aside any doubts the Melbourne big man remained the No. 1 ruck in the game.

Aged 32, Gawn played one of the most dominant and influential games from a ruckman we’ve seen this season ahead of a clash against his former protégé Luke Jackson against Fremantle in Alice Springs on Sunday.

And, somewhat remarkably, Gawn did it with a dodgy calf, making a statement about his ability to carry the Demons’ ruck division on his own without a strong back-up option following Brodie Grundy’s move to premiership favourite Sydney Swans last year.

Anthony Caminiti and Max Gawn compete in the ruck on Sunday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Gawn had a whopping 27 touches, 34 hit-outs, 18 contested possessions and 10 clearances for the most secure three Brownlow Medal votes in the count at season’s end.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin will be pleased with the second-half and in particular the defensive efforts of Adam Tomlinson and Tom McDonald who shut the gate on the underwhelming Saints in the absence of Jake Lever.

As reserves, the Dees boast impressive depth, allowing Harrison Petty to play forward. Christian Salem also sparkled.

But as a contest, save for a tight second term, this was a tough watch in front of only 37, 403 fans. In fact parts were putrid, adding to concerns about the state of the game.

Steven May and Max Gawn celebrate after a goal against the Saints on Sunday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The Demons at least scored 100 points as they look to make a genuine fist of the premiership after straight sets finals exits.

Ross Lyon gave his troops a spray at quarter time to help get within 16 points at the main change even though the Demons dominated supply and possession.

In terms of talent, this contest was a complete mismatch, and St Kilda had no chance of winning any sort of shootout against the red and blue.

So the Saints had to make it an arm wrestle to have any chance of getting close, but the conversation about the Saints’ scoring problems will continue.

After registering 53 and 55 points in their past two losses, the Saints managed only 62 against the Lever-less Melbourne on Sunday.

While they made the finals last year, it looks a complete over-achievement in hindsight as the Saints face another massive trade and draft period to inject more quality in each third.

They lack breakaway speed and power. Class and polish. But Lyon signed on knowing this wasn’t a quick fix.

The Saints were the big tip to slide this year and it has proven to be accurate ahead of a clash against West Coast in Perth on Saturday.

Originally published as AFL Round 11 Melbourne v St Kilda: Ed Langdon lauds Simon Goodwin and the Demons culture after London trip