Simon Goodwin's tenure as Melbourne Demons coach has been marked by extreme highs and lows. At their best, his team dominated with a fierce midfield and peerless ruckman, culminating in a flawless premiership victory in 2021. Yet at their worst, they were rigid and predictable, often winning contested possessions but losing matches, while Goodwin stuck to his mantra of 'learnings' and 'honest conversations'.
Off-field turmoil plagued the club, with teammate brawls, allegations of drug use, and a leadership vacuum. Despite a summer of 'cleansing' and a new theme of 'Love. Play. Celebrate.', the Demons lost their first five games of the season. Even as they showed flashes of brilliance, such as a win over Brisbane and a strong performance against Sydney, inconsistency and laboured play persisted.
The burden fell heavily on captain Max Gawn, who had to act as president, CEO, and defender of the coach amid fan abuse and media scrutiny. The club's decision to recruit Brodie Grundy proved disastrous, with the ruckman relegated to the reserves. In finals, Melbourne repeatedly squandered opportunities, losing four finals by a combined 40 points, including a loss to Carlton where they had 10 more scoring shots but kicked behinds.
Goodwin's 2021 premiership will secure his place in club history, and he maintained dignity amid chaos. But questions linger over what could have been with a stable club, proper leadership, and if Angus Brayshaw had not been forced into retirement. The nagging sense of unfulfilled potential remains for the Melbourne Demons.
