Melbourne champion Garry Lyon says it was “unwise” for Demons coach Simon Goodwin to publicly suggest an off-field matter potentially contributed to skipper Max Gawn’s subpar performance against North Melbourne.
It comes amid a report Demons insiders were left stunned by Goodwin’s post-game comments on Sunday, despite the wide acceptance the coach had good intentions.
Gawn was well-beaten by Roos ruck Tristan Xerri on Sunday, but Goodwin said there was some context for the Melbourne ruckman’s performance, telling reporters: “You’ve also got to realise that in life there are other things that are going on. So we’ll support Max. He’s a great person and a great leader and there’s a backstory to everyone’s performance. I’m not going to go into the details, but … there’s footy and there’s some stuff in life.”
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Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reported Melbourne insiders “to put it bluntly are a bit shocked that this happened”, particularly after Gawn’s public defences of Goodwin and teammates amid various media spotfires over the past few seasons.
“He (Gawn) had absolutely no idea that it was going to come,” Ralph told On The Couch.
“I’m sure Simon Goodwin would’ve addressed it with him today (Monday) and apologised in regards to it. But it’s mind-boggling to think that nine seasons, 180 (post-game) press conferences – this is not the coach’s first rodeo. He had to know better and unfortunately he just plainly misspoke.
“Instead of a day of recovery and arresting this loss slump, all of a sudden more distractions for a football club that, let’s face it, has done pretty well to eat its own over the last couple of years. Another self-inflicted wound.”
Lyon told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night it was an unfortunate situation.
“I suspect he (Goodwin) is doing it for all the right reasons … But all that did was invite scrutiny and questions,” Lyon told AFL 360.
“What I would say is Max has never, since I’ve been watching Melbourne, looked for an excuse and I don’t think Simon needed to provide one. I’m sure Max will clarify it, Simon will when he’s here (on Wednesday night).
‘We weren’t quite to that level’ | 07:25
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis – who both played alongside Gawn and was coached by Goodwin during his final AFL seasons – was adamant “there will be no issue whatsoever” between the pair.
“It was just unusual and it probably paints a picture that there are things going on in people’s personal lives, but this is what these players have to deal with to come out and perform,” Lewis told On The Couch.
“But if we talk about the relationship between ‘Goody’ and Max, it is as strong a relationship I’ve seen between a player and a coach.”
Seven-time All-Australian and ex-Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said coaches giving players an off-field out can be “a slippery slope”.
“Firstly, I think Simon Goodwin’s intention and heart was in the right place to support and defend his captain, a leader, a bloke he’s travelled the majority of the journey with,” Buckley told On The Couch.
“The two things I think of: Was Max OK with that being said in the presser? I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have been aware of it … And the second one is if you’re going to start that around a player had something going on off-field and that affected his on-field performance, that speaks to professionalism and that expectations of every player that takes to the field.
“I don’t mean to be callous about it, but part of being a professional is being able to compartmentalise and turn up for that group of people that you’re with in that time.
“We’ve come a long way with the way that we view the players and what we expect of the players and they’re humans going and playing a game for us. But I just think if you’re stepping into that space, I’d say a handful of players from every club, every week have got something that they’re dealing with in a personal sense off-field – and half of your challenge as a professional is to front-up and do that.”
Goodwin’s Gawn comments have somewhat deflected the focus away from the Demons’ performance in their 59-point loss to North Melbourne, which saw their biggest flaw – forward 50 inefficiency – again plague them.
Lyon said the Demons “just regressed to being the same old Melbourne” as he pointed to the third quarter, which saw them kick just 1.2 from 19 inside 50s.
“The concern is it’s just a haunting familiarity about that – and that it goes to the coaches and coaching,” he said.
“The haphazard way they go forward for a whole supporter base and for players and coaches I’d imagine … they continually bomb the ball into a group of players that don’t take contested marks.
“They’re at a bit of a crossroad here and whether their style of game that has held them in such good stead is getting passed by ‘the kickers’.
“They’re a proud group. We’ve seen others respond this week in a manner that you’d hope, but question marks for them. It’s their turn to sit under the bright, bright light until such time as to when they can turn the dimmer off.”
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