1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

You have no idea what the Board said to Goodwin other than what Goodwin has said to the media. They are hardly going to say 'he was warned about losses and there was no improvement so he was sacked'

Give them some credit. Its a balance between showing Goodwin respect for what he has done but acknowledging that the club has underperformed significantly - with the same problems from 4 years ago still evident (kicking, forward connection, losing close games etc). Our finishing in close games is nothing short if disgraceful so the lack of coaching there is an indictment on goodwin.

We have a list that has won a flag albeit older and with some issues amongst senior players.

But some people here have very short memories. They talked about contending for a flag at the start of the year and started 0-5. Our wins have generally come against poor opposition and our losses to the bottom 7 clubs is frankly unacceptable with the list we have. We trained all summer with an aggressive mindset and a variable midfield including Langdon, Rivers etc. Yet when the real stuff started it disappeared. My memory is that the previous year was the same. Attacking gameplan pre-season and completely ditched during season proper.

What's more is that we were being dished up the same tripe week in week out with very few positional changes in the midfield, poor selection integrity and a stubbornness about the coaching style.

Off field we hare struggling big time according to my sources. We lost IG as a sponsor and have bled members with our poor performances

A new coach is likely to invigorate our playing group at the very least whilst we still have elite talent.

A gutsy decision by our Board that needs support.

I think it's pretty irrefutable that Goodwin and the board weren't on the same page about his position being under consideration. The board didn't communicate that to him and that reflects poorly on the board. If he had known it was under consideration, I think Goodwin is someone who would have said so and not used words like "no inkling".

I understand why the board came to it's decision, but I'm disappointed how they kept Goodwin in the dark that his position was under serious threat.

29 minutes ago, Nietaphart said:

In due respect GW, how do you know the truth? Staff and players are not privy to what occurs at higher management and board level.

By “the truth” I’m referring to how he doesn’t appear to be (as Binman said), someone who was blindsided. The truth is he was. He’s just good at appearing ok. He’s not ok. Not yet. He’s not angry. He’s shocked and really disappointed. How do I know? Because I’ve been told by everyone with whom I spoke on the first session back at Gosch’s post the sacking. And a couple of days before he was sacked he and I spoke at length about his vision. Trust me, he wasn’t a coach who knew he was in the crosshairs.

I know there’ll be people on here who’ll laugh at this but the fact is Goody and I were friends. Not so hard to believe… he’s a mere human being, just like everyone else.

We saw the results on field and they were poor, very poor actually. But also consider loss of members and sponsors as we’ve heard the last week or two. There’s more to this than just Goodwin himself

1 hour ago, Go Ds said:

Can you refresh my memory who was so confident of our prospects this year? We were probably 30 to 1 in March. I know on here some of us were quietly confident. But lots weren't even that! Then we broke some record with five debutants in round 1! Two of those had barely had a month as official players yet still our selectors chose them over our flag-ready warriors?

We had injuries at the start of the year and were also told that the high draft picks would be key in getting us back to finals this year.

Two of the debutants were mature aged VFL players who have barely been seen since, aka depth. One was Jefferson who had been on the list for two years already and the club had to bite the bullet and see if he could actually play.

1 minute ago, SFebes said:

But also consider loss of members

We're a small club.

Fans became members when we won a flag and were winning games.

Fairweather members.

They would always drop off when things get tough, maybe it happened a bit earlier than expected but it was going to happen sometime.

I would be more concerned with a board/management who couldn't make hay when things were good.

5 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I think it's pretty irrefutable that Goodwin and the board weren't on the same page about his position being under consideration. The board didn't communicate that to him and that reflects poorly on the board. If he had known it was under consideration, I think Goodwin is someone who would have said so and not used words like "no inkling".

I understand why the board came to it's decision, but I'm disappointed how they kept Goodwin in the dark that his position was under serious threat.

👏 Spot on.

3 minutes ago, rjay said:

We're a small club.

Fans became members when we won a flag and were winning games.

Fairweather members.

They would always drop off when things get tough, maybe it happened a bit earlier than expected but it was going to happen sometime.

I would be more concerned with a board/management who couldn't make hay when things were good.

While I agree to a certain extent, We need to stop thinking like a small club.

5 minutes ago, rjay said:

We're a small club.

Fans became members when we won a flag and were winning games.

Fairweather members.

They would always drop off when things get tough, maybe it happened a bit earlier than expected but it was going to happen sometime.

I would be more concerned with a board/management who couldn't make hay when things were good.

Meanwhile, the Saints somehow have year on year membership growth despite going backwards with a coach who's the biggest spin doctor in the game and deflects more than anyone. Honestly baffles me how Saints supporters are lapping up what Ross says.

1 minute ago, Ghostwriter said:

By “the truth” I’m referring to how he doesn’t appear to be (as Binman said), someone who was blindsided. The truth is he was. He’s just good at appearing ok. He’s not ok. Not yet. He’s not angry. He’s shocked and really disappointed. How do I know? Because I’ve been told by everyone with whom I spoke on the first session back at Gosch’s post the sacking. And a couple of days before he was sacked he and I spoke at length about his vision. Trust me, he wasn’t a coach who knew he was in the crosshairs.

I know there’ll be people on here who’ll laugh at this but the fact is Goody and I were friends. Not so hard to believe… he’s a mere human being, just like everyone else.

I write with trepidation as I've no wish to upset or offend.

I will say I suspect everything you have said is correct. That is correct to the participants and their perspectives and beliefs.

This is pure supposition , but it's my gut feeling , I think Simon was a victim of his own vision. To me it's a bit like when you misplace something. You look, look, re look, retrace , look again and just can't for the life of it see it. Another's eyes walk up.. and presto, from all but right in front of you retrieve said missing article. How ? Different perspective.

Tbh we'll never know now how close under Simon's tutelage we might have really come with perseverance. The fact remains what others saw was not what Simon believed. In that it doesn't make Simon wrong, it makes him redundant.

This has never really been about right and/or wrong, it's been about success, measured and built upon. Time was called.

To my minds eye I can understand that maybe Simon was truly surprised ( ne blindsided) . He might be the only one . To go into that Board Room after THAT capitulation, you surely needed to read the room. I can only presume he didn’t. To not be aware of the gravity of his situation strikes me as bizarre tbh.

I don't think anyone has ill-will towards the bloke as a person. I certainly don't and wouldn't thank him and buy him a beer, probably 2 😀 But Im also keen to move on ... and upwards

I wish him well. Im sure he'll do just fine.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by beelzebub

5 minutes ago, SFebes said:

While I agree to a certain extent, We need to stop thinking like a small club.

We sure do...the measure of this board will be it's ability to grow the fan base.

A home base will probably be a good start, that and on-field success.

Although I don't have full faith that they are up for the task at hand.

Past results would say not.

2 hours ago, Go Ds said:

Can you refresh my memory who was so confident of our prospects this year? We were probably 30 to 1 in March. I know on here some of us were quietly confident. But lots weren't even that! Then we broke some record with five debutants in round 1! Two of those had barely had a month as official players yet still our selectors chose them over our flag-ready warriors?

I'm not your intern so you can refresh your own memory.

But we started 2025 with a last minute unforgivable loss to GWS whilst debuting 5 players and with no Steven may or kozzie . So we weren't the newbie basket case that you allude to.

We then proceeded to lose to North and Essendon in the first 5 rounds because the players were poorly coached.

Senior players like Fritsch and Petty were abysmal kicking 1 goal - between them - in the first 4 rounds.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by jnrmac

27 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Meanwhile, the Saints somehow have year on year membership growth despite going backwards with a coach who's the biggest spin doctor in the game and deflects more than anyone. Honestly baffles me how Saints supporters are lapping up what Ross says.

In fairness, and not directed ay you personally, but I could say the very same thing with our own supporters on here who continued to lap up everything Goodwin would say.

35 minutes ago, At the break of Gawn said:

I think it's pretty irrefutable that Goodwin and the board weren't on the same page about his position being under consideration. The board didn't communicate that to him and that reflects poorly on the board. If he had known it was under consideration, I think Goodwin is someone who would have said so and not used words like "no inkling".

I understand why the board came to it's decision, but I'm disappointed how they kept Goodwin in the dark that his position was under serious threat.

We have no idea what Goodwin said to the Board or vice versa but the idea that the club didn't communicate with him seems illogical in the extreme. And of course they can't explain publicly beyond what they have already said.

The Club did a review last year/early this year and there would have been commitments made and strategies outlined as to what they intended to do to get the team back playing competitive football.

From rd 19 last year to Rd 5 this year we won 1 game - out of 11 games. Do you really think the Board would sit there and rubber stamp Goodwin's management of the team after that without putting the acid on his footy dept and strategy?

The Board through the year would have been watching the on field progression carefully and Goodwin would have known himself that things needed to turn - if he didn't then that says a lot. But our losses to lower sides overall W/L record over 2 years was unacceptable. By every measure we were going backwards and all with 15/16 premiership players on the list.

And probably the manner of the losses was disturbing. The players seemed to have no idea of what to do with ball in hand and looked bereft of all confidence on field in many of the early 2025 games

The Board handled it well.

To me, after everything had unfolded this year and after the off field mess we have had for the past 2-3 yeats, along with the media noise, if Goodwin did not feel his job was under pressure then he's delusional.

Tim Lamb put it on record (video below) after the trade period that we would be a much better team then last year because once again a reliance on Oliver and Petracca to have injury free pre seasons etc etc.. if the talk from Lamb was to be better then last year then that would be aligned with Goodwins vision as well and obviously the goal was to clearly play finals.

We failed horribly at that off the back of where the rort started which imo was the game against Norf this year. Players looked completely broken after that. The Saints game was pretty much the final nail in the coffin.

Supporters, media experts could all see it was eventually come to an end. Was I surprised at the timing? Yes I was.. thought they would let him play out the year at least, but I can understand why they pulled the pin early because they clearly want to get on the front foot immediately.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by dazzledavey36

I really feel for him

Payout may help, but the mental scarring will be there for a while, methinks

I’m not surprised that goody was sacked. He shouldn’t be either

I am surprised at the timing. If it was going to happen I thought it would take place at the end of the season, rather than with 3 weeks left to go.

7 hours ago, KozzyCan said:

See this post for how I believe it played out over the course of the year.

Goodwin can say he was blindsided but he’s not an [censored]. He knew he was in trouble. Everyone did.

Simon could sell “Ice to Eskimos”.

Will always have a job in PR.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

He was led to believe he’d be there to see out the H&A this year, moreover that he’d be coaching us next year. So people will say he’s naïve and maybe he is, but the fact remains… this came out of the blue, this was unexpected, not just by Goody but by everyone: players, assistant coaches, training staff, medical staff, property staff… everyone. And this is because Goody still had the unwavering belief that we’d be back in contention real soon. He truly believed this.

I think all indication was that he would see out the season. I am not sure if the timing change was because we got spooked by Carlton potentially sacking Voss and leaving us in a race for a new coach, or perhaps the St Kilda loss debacle, or maybe even that we got a strong indication from our preferred candidate that he's keen on the role.

Either way I also believe that expectations were a post season review, and I am sure Goody at least hoped that he would continue on as coach into next year, but he definitely would have known that his position was being reviewed. Not just his either, the entire Footy Department was/is under review.

I also believe that the board was divided on this decision, so would have given him no indication one way or another until a decision was made. But he was presenting to the board regularly, so there is no doubt he knew his role was being reviewed.

In the end I think his unwavering belief in the group was his undoing. He died on the 'this group can be successful again' hill.
His loyalty and love for his players was reciprocated off the field, but on it, that belief was delivering us way too many loses.

the timing was pretty clear - gives us 6 weeks to appoint a senior coach, ideally in preliminary final week

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by whatwhat say what

1 hour ago, At the break of Gawn said:

Honestly baffles me how Saints supporters are lapping up what Ross says.

One of the most overrated people in football. Bizarre that they even considered having him back.

1 hour ago, KozzyCan said:

We had injuries at the start of the year and were also told that the high draft picks would be key in getting us back to finals this year.

Two of the debutants were mature aged VFL players who have barely been seen since, aka depth. One was Jefferson who had been on the list for two years already and the club had to bite the bullet and see if he could actually play.

Indeed. Maybe some on the board expected a top four finish. But our flag odds and to some extent those 5 debutants contradict this.

18 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

One of the most overrated people in football. Bizarre that they even considered having him back.

I wouldn't have agreed. But he's done nothing at the Saints this time that screams out genius.

9 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Indeed. Maybe some on the board expected a top four finish. But our flag odds and to some extent those 5 debutants contradict this.

I'd be extremely concerned if the club based their expectations around betting odds. Some early injuries notwithstanding, our injury list has been fairly healthy throughout the year, and again, the inclusion of Langford and Lindsay was argued to the members as a reason for us to improve this year. The expectations were based on the outcomes of the review completed in the last off-season which Goodwin was a key part of.

Either Goodwin sold the board a vision that was unobtainable, he wasn't able to achieve what was actually atainable and moved the goalposts.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

In fairness, and not directed ay you personally, but I could say the very same thing with our own supporters on here who continued to lap up everything Goodwin would say.

In fairness you didn't first say "lapping". But otherwise what are you talking about? You think Ross and Goody are comparable?

4 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

I'd be extremely concerned if the club based their expectations around betting odds. Some early injuries notwithstanding, our injury list has been fairly healthy throughout the year, and again, the inclusion of Langford and Lindsay was argued to the members as a reason for us to improve this year. The expectations were based on the outcomes of the review completed in the last off-season which Goodwin was a key part of.

Either Goodwin sold the board a vision that was unobtainable, he wasn't able to achieve what was actually atainable and moved the goalposts.

I'm sure there are years where the inner sanctum know the odds are wrong. Apparently at the start of 21 Goody told Mike Sheehan that barring injuries we'd win the whole thing. I dunno. I get the feeling that a side all set for late September would have had maybe two debutants and three others with games under their belt. Also I really think some forget how a few years ago week after week Oliver and Trac would be in the coaches votes and poll well in the Brownlow. While I wish injuries on no one i'd happily have see 3 or 4 (bar Gawn, Kosi ..) miss big parts of this year in exchange for Trac and Clarry performing at their '22 level.