Former Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin has expressed that the desire to return to a senior coaching role may resurface as he acclimatises to his new position with the Sydney Swans. Goodwin, who joined the Swans this season as the director of coaching and performance following his sacking from Melbourne, is relishing the chance to remain close to the coaching fraternity.
His tenure with Melbourne, which included a premiership win, ended amidst a significant overhaul at the club, which also saw players like Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca depart. The environment was further complicated by a tumultuous leadership transition and concerns regarding the club’s culture.
In a candid interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Goodwin shared his motivation for moving to Sydney, stating, “For me, it was about staying in coaching. Coaching’s what I love… I didn’t want to miss that.” He highlighted the appeal of Sydney’s lifestyle and the unique club culture as major factors in his decision to join.
Goodwin acknowledged that while he enjoys his current role and the opportunity to mentor younger coaches like Dean Cox, he anticipates that the urge to take the reins again will return eventually. “I’m enjoying just taking a step back and looking at coaching holistically… but I’m sure that urge will come at some stage,” he noted.
At the age of 49, Goodwin reflected on the pressures experienced during his time coaching Melbourne, where expectations soared after their championship success. He candidly admitted the challenges of the position and how they affected his family life, saying, “You sort of bring it home a little bit, but I wouldn’t take it back for anything.”
Goodwin’s insights underscore the intense nature of coaching in the AFL, remarking on the duality of the role: “When you’re going well, there’s a lot of praise. When you’re not going well, there’s a lot of criticism.” For now, he remains focused on contributing something unique and impactful at the Swans, dedicating himself to personal improvement and the overall success of the club.