‘Diametrically opposed’: Inside story of Goodwin’s axing from Dees amid $1.2m payout

Melbourne and Simon Goodwin being misaligned on the club’s premiership timeline and the Demons not wanting the premiership coach to depart at “rock bottom” reportedly played key roles in the decision to part ways.

But the club will need to pay out Goodwin in excess of $1.2 million as it faces several big calls on its list for the next coach, with a number of stars’ fates unknown.

Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph explained the “two key flash points” that led to Melbourne’s call to axe Goodwin, which was “months in the making” dating back to a dismal 0-5 start to the season.

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The 7-13 Demons have been on a gradual decline since their historic 2021 premiership including missing finals the last two seasons. However Goodwin, much like he professed in his exit press conference, thought the club was close to contending again in a timeline the board didn’t see eye to eye on.

That and the “toll” of a social media threat to Goodwin after the team’s fadeout loss to St Kilda a fortnight ago prompted Melboure to act.

“Simon Goodwin presented to that board on Monday night, it was all about how this club would compete for a premiership next year: ‘We’re so close, we can sniff it’. That board was diametrically opposed to that view. They were crystal clear this was a club that needed some kind of step or two backwards before it pushed forward,” Ralph told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night.

“So their path was different to his. Was he deluded? Was it blind faith? Somewhere in between?

“The other interesting sub plot was the death threat to Goodwin last weekend. Hoax or not, it absolutely took its toll on Goodwin and his family. It also gave the Demons another reminder of the toll placed upon him.

“They didn’t want him to go out rock bottom as a premiership coach. They could see he was never going to back down or quit, he was always going to forge on ahead to that next premiership. They almost had to make the decision for him.

“They’re two key issues about why Goodwin was removed from his tenure.”

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Goodwin, who had another year to run on his contract, departs with a 54 per cent win rate (111 wins, one draw and 90 losses) over 202 games since taking over the Dees in 2017.

Ralph said Melbourne’s decision to move into a new direction ultimately came down to the club not seeing him as its next “premiership coach,” believing the list needs a “significant revamp”.

“They know they could’ve kept him on for next year and this same situation might’ve occurred. At very best, he could’ve survived for two more years after that if they gave him a two-year extension,” he said.

“This is a football club that wants to set a new path, they didn’t want to be run off a cliff.

“They think as good as those glories were including the flag, the short-term fix was to keep him. The decision they’ve made is to forge ahead for the next premiership coach for the next decade.

“We might think that’s not enough to sack a premiership coach. But that was the big picture thinking the Melbourne Football Club came to.”

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The Herald Sun reports Goodwin is owed more than $1.2 million in a payout from Melbourne for the remainder of this season and 2026 that will be a “costly” blow to the club’s soft cap and footy department spending.

“Of course it’s going to impact then. They also have football department taxes on top of that, as much as 50 per cent,” Ralph added.

“Hawthorn split Alastair Clarkson’s $900,000 payout over two years. But let’s face it, clubs have been screaming: ‘We need a bigger soft cap.’

“All of a sudden (Melbourne might) get $750,000 extra next year. You’d imagine most of that would be taken up by (Goodwin). There will be decisions ahead on the likes of (head of development) Mark Williams and whether they can save some money if they move him on.

“But it’s going to be costly and cost them in terms of (footy department) personnel next year.”

Gaz's heartfelt tribute to Goodwin | 01:58

It comes as the future of several Dees stars hangs in the balance ahead of a defining off-season for the club as it looks to potentially shake up the list.

Premiership stars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver pursued trades last year and could look to do so again. Meanwhile Jake Lever was reportedly unhappy after being dropped last month, and the out-of-contract Judd McVee is weighing up his options.

“Jake Lever is clearly upset about the way he was dropped as a senior leader and whether he had enough discourse with his coach in Simon Goodwin, that’s something he has to work through,” Ralph said.

“Christian Petracca doesn’t want to leave and the club is adamant it is not letting him go. They want to set him up for a superstar return to form, he’s not quite there this year. They also want to help him off the field to set himself up for life, if he hasn’t already.

“Judd McVee has to be kept, he doesn’t want to leave Victoria. His partner is an AFLW player and also plays for Melbourne. There’s Victorian clubs swirling, but they just need to keep him.”

Ralph said the “big one” to watch is Oliver, who nearly left for Geelong last year, suggesting the only way the four-time best and fairest could move is if he took a pay cut and Melbourne contributed towards his salary elsewhere.

“If he accepted a massive, massive pay cut — let’s call it $400,000 — and Melbourne paid out — let’s call it $300,000 — he’s still on that $800,000-$900,000 a year. I just don’t think there’s any takers for him,” he said.

“But if I was a fresh coach coming into this situation, would I want Oliver always in my midfield? I think I’d probably want him to move on. But it’s just so hard to factor a market where there’s enough money off the books to pay him.

“I think if you’re paying over $1 million for him, Petracca and Kysaiah Pickett, that’s too much of a handcuff. Especially if they’re not going to win a premiership in the next couple of years.

“I think it's a big decision ahead on Clayton. If I was them I’d move heaven and earth to move on Clayton.”

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