Melbourne FC considered sacking coach Simon Goodwin ahead of its 2021 AFL premiership winning season over “behavourial issues”, according to a report in the Herald Sun.
The Herald Sun paper said the Melbourne board discussed the possibility as Goodwin was investigated over claims of gambling, bullying, and other issues spanning 2018-2021.
Goodwin survived and the Demons won their first premiership since 1964.
Then-president Glen Bartlett, and head doctor Zeeshan Arain, departed Essendon amid the internal unrest.
The Herald Sun said Arain was dismissed shortly after raising concerns about Goodwin to club chief Gary Pert, and later received a substantial settlement after he launched an unlawful dismissal claim against the club.
The paper said leaked documents obtained by them showed claims that Arain had “encountered unreasonable and repeated behaviour by Mr Goodwin”, and that the coach used “aggressive language and tone” when speaking about managing injuries of senior players.
“He (Dr Arain) informed you (Pert) among other matters that the culture within the club was a risk to the health and safety of everyone involved,” a legal letter seen by the Herald Sun said.
Bartlett resigned as president in April 2021.
The Herald Sun said he interviewed Arain in December 2020, when the board was first made aware of further allegations against Goodwin.
Alan Richardson was reportedly sent on a club trip to Las Vegas in 2019 as a chaperone for Goodwin, because of concerns for what the coach “may get up to” while a board memo claimed multiple staff members believed Goodwin had “serious lifestyle issues”.
The Demons have since released a statement through club President Kate Roffey:
“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.
Following the review, Simon, Alan Richardson, Max Gawn and the club’s leadership group led the charge in ensuring all areas for improvement outlined in the review were acted upon.
They embedded the club’s values of trust, respect, unity and excellence within our football department and they continue to do so.
The character and strength of our people saw us achieve great things in season 2021 and we are excited to see what we can do in 2022 and beyond.”
Dale
Guest
Cats too old!!!!
Dale Hughes
Guest
Cats on pension!!!! chess game style lol
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Yes, Aquarius women can be the Ice Queen but boy do they have beautiful hair. It's a good thing I'm an "all you can eat" kinda guy. Jennifer Anniston, Sarah Palin and Sheryl Crow are all born Feb 11th. ------ I bet your wife and her have had some titanic clashes. Scorpio v Aquarius is the biggest fight on the wheel.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I think by going blonde she reckons she can eat a blokes heart & spit it out & get away with it. :stoked:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So her Sun is on my Moon; yoohoo. But go blonde? Why? Blondes have more dumb :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Early Feb next week some time. Rowdy she’s a brunette that decided to go blonde :silly:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I bet she has lustrous hair. If she's early in Aquarius born tell her I'm interested.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Not married/Aquarius
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Well said Don......we're not always on the same page but they're wise words
Maxy
Roar Rookie
yeah,I usually switch over and watch re runs of friends or the big bang theory
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Is she married? What sign is she?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The AFLW crew are collectively prettier than the Women's NRL. Clinches it for me.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I agree. As if winning a flag is always pretty. I was only 5 the last time the Dee's won a flag.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Aren't you tired of pushing ya flagging tropes. The demographic push from the AF states to the RL states alone will make AF the increasingly more dominant code. Rare is the metric that shows RL in the ascendancy over AF and yet here you are at the leaking defence of a football in morose decline.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
:stoked: Jackpot
berrlins
Roar Pro
I've decided to put my house, my life savings, and my first born child on the Dogs winning based on your sister in laws prediction.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
My sister in law is a white witch she told me the dogs will win the premiership in 22 & 24
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Think it’s 5 but who’s keeping count!
Boo
Guest
Tom Linergans finest hour of footy when they moved him on to Cloke who was as you say unstoppable .Stewart Dew unbelievable in 08 fat or not .
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
You really are a bitter fellow aren’t you, I wasn’t even having a go, I like Roo, roo likes a beer and a punt, so yeah, not sure why your undies are in such a bunch. Enjoy that wooden spoon :silly: