Simon Goodwin has sparked speculation regarding Max Gawn following some unusual remarks made after Melbourne’s heavy loss to North Melbourne. Gawn, the 33-year-old captain of the Demons, had a challenging game, being outperformed by Tristan Xerri, who secured 20 disposals and a goal in the match that ended 125-66 against his team.
While Gawn’s performance could be attributed to a poor day on the field, Goodwin’s comments during the post-match press conference raised eyebrows. He acknowledged Gawn’s struggles against a formidable opponent but hinted at “other things” happening in Gawn’s life that may have affected his play. “Our people are really important to us, and Max is one of those guys,” Goodwin stated, reinforcing Gawn’s stature within the club and expressing support for him as a leader.
When pressed for specifics regarding Gawn’s situation, Goodwin opted not to elaborate, saying, “I’m not going to go into the details. There’s footy, and there’s stuff in life… people have backstories.” This vague reference to potential personal issues ignited a wave of speculation on social media, with critics accusing Goodwin of unnecessarily delving into Gawn’s private matters. Veteran journalist Neil Mitchell commented on X, stating his disapproval and stressing that Gawn’s performance should be the sole focus rather than any underlying personal struggles.
The Demons now find themselves in a precarious position, having lost both their opening games of the season, with a crucial clash against Gold Coast looming. As Goodwin strives to manage the team’s issues, the ongoing discourse surrounding Gawn’s form and personal circumstances adds further pressure on the club amid a disappointing start to the season.