Melbourne’s coach, Simon Goodwin, has acknowledged that Max Gawn and Steven May “got it wrong” following a tense on-field exchange after the team’s narrow defeat to Collingwood on King’s Birthday Monday. The exchange occurred when May confronted Gawn right after the final siren, which followed Gawn’s costly kick in the last minute that ultimately influenced the match outcome. May later admitted that his timing for raising concerns was inappropriate, which led to the confrontation.
Goodwin has since addressed the incident with the team, emphasising the importance of managing emotions during critical moments in games. He noted the strong friendship between Gawn and May, saying, “Clearly, we don’t want that look on-field,” but also recognised the emotional nature of football and the passion both players exhibit for the game and their club.
In addition to this incident, Goodwin is celebrating the long-term signing of star forward Kysaiah Pickett, who has committed to the club until 2034 on a reported $12 million deal. This signing concludes years of speculation about Pickett’s future, especially regarding potential moves back to Western Australia, which he seemingly indicated during previous seasons.
Gawn, not involved in the extension discussions, called Pickett’s new contract a “no-brainer,” despite understanding the risks associated with long-term commitments. He believes that Pickett is destined to become one of the league’s top players.
Goodwin sees the security of Pickett’s contract as a sign of positive progress for the Dees, suggesting that it reflects a stable and forward-moving environment within the club. He highlighted the dedication to creating a supportive atmosphere for players to thrive, especially regarding adapting to life in Melbourne.
The Demons are preparing to face Port Adelaide this Sunday before heading into their bye week, looking to build on the structures they have in place for continued success.