Just a quick check to see how everyone’s traveling with the huge news?

Myself? I’m still shocked, but not surprised.

I feel change was required, however I also don’t know if the change will bring the desired outcome any time soon.

I feel a bit sad too, like a part of me is off. It’s not a nice feeling knowing the clubs in unknown territory.

I’m excited, I’m excited to see the changes in personnel and also game style.

I’m optimistic. I’m optimistic that we come back with all the changes that Goody spoke of over the last seasons, new style, exciting play, close team etc.

What do you think is coming for the club? What do you hope to see for the end of 2025 and pre-season into 2026?

Edited August 5Aug 5 by GawnOfTheDead

I am highly concerned about Goat McVee's contractual status, so I am NOT doing well

Today I've been miserable. The body isn't cold yet and there is so much water to go under the bridge. Most of us have never farewelled a premiership coach so this is very new.

It would have been so nice to get a proper chance to say goodbye, but as quickly as our ill fated dynasty went out the door, so did Simon it seems.

Im not ready to talk new coaches, im not even ready to do a heartfelt thankyou to Simon. This is NOT like any other coach sacking we've had. Simon is one of the most exceptional people we've had come across our club in recent times. His demeanor, his commitment to personal growth, his communication and rapport with players. I think it will hit some people some of the traits we are losing when hes gone.

I'll get there. The sun will come up tomorrow and it will be business as usual. This may well be for the best. We will bring a new coach and unleash a new plan that we can hopefully get behind. That day is not today. Today is for a little grieving.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by layzie

Nut up.

I’m feeling very mixed. Sad, Optimistic, Hopeful. It’s such a big decision to part ways with a coach, especially a premiership one. It’s a rough day

2 minutes ago, KoltTheRam said:

I’m feeling very mixed. Sad, Optimistic, Hopeful. It’s such a big decision to part ways with a coach, especially a premiership one. It’s a rough day

I’m feeling all of the same, this is such uncharted territory and I also feel quite off.

3 minutes ago, layzie said:

Today I've been miserable. The body isn't cold yet and there is so much water to go under the bridge. Most of us have never farewelled a premiership coach so this is very new.

It would have been so nice to get a proper chance to say goodbye, but as quickly as our ill fated dynasty went out the door, so did Simon it seems.

Im not ready to talk new coaches, im not even ready to do a heartfelt thankyou to Simon. This is NOT like any other coach sacking we've had. Simon is one of the most exceptional people we've had come across our club in recent times. His demeanor, his commitment to personal growth, his communication and rapport with players. I think it will hit some people some of the traits we are losing when hes gone.

I'll get there. The sun will come up tomorrow and it will be business as usual. We will bring a new coach and unleash a new plan that we can hopefully get behind. That day is not today. Today is for a little grieving.

Wholeheartedly agree.

I definitely felt change was required, can’t stick to the same plan which is clearly failing after two years of bad results.

In saying that, this is completely uncharted territory and I feel a bit off. It’s like a family member is gone. He’s been there for so long you just kind of get used to it and expect it.

I think it will take time to adjust.

Feel relieved and optimistic, first time for a while. Nice to reminisce and feel warm and fuzzy but truly feel like the first parts of blue sky are finally breaking through the clouds that have been flying low for a while.

I’m sad and grieving. Yes I know nobody has actually died but I don’t know a better way to describe it. And the celebration of this event only makes me feel isolated and alone.

I’m laying low for a bit until this settles down.

a change was needed

i'm looking forward to the post goody chapter.

Goody himself will be fine. a $1m payout, a nice holiday and a head of footy dept at another club to look forward to (if he wants a role like that)

A few years ago we rid ourselves of the Norm Smith curse after a coach was unreasonably removed …,,

Edited August 5Aug 5 by joeboy

Some people say I’m insensitive but I’ve never noticed.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by TRIGON

3 minutes ago, joeboy said:

A few years ago we rid ourselves of the Norm Smith curse which began after a coach was unreasonably and sensationally removed….

8 minutes ago, joeboy said:

A few years ago we rid ourselves of the Norm Smith curse after a coach was unreasonably removed …,,

I’ve been a Goody fan and defended him against many Melbourne supporters who did not believe but this year has shown me his time is up. I thought he was a brilliant coach and was so invested in improving the whole club and I have nothing but gratitude for what he has given us. Not many coaches last 10 years, so it’s been a wonderful effort but a fresh start to re-energise the list is needed as it has not been there last year or this year.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by Demons11

Pretty excited about the next era. Things were feeling very stale.

Give me a coach with some real vision about where to take the club.

I'm good. I think it's the right decision. It's a chance for everyone who cares about Melbourne and their part in the Melbourne story to reflect, take stock, and think about what they want moving forward.

EDIT: I include Simon Goodwin in that as well. He's a great coach, and I'm 100% sure he will coach another side one day.
He's as rolled gold as they come, but his time at Melbourne was well and truly up.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by Chook

I suppose we prepare ourselves for players leaving: we know once they’re over 31-32, each season could be their last. We also know, some will have no hesitation jumping ship if there’s a better offer from a rival Club. The coach, it would seem, is required to make a much more profound commitment, and remain at their post until the bitter end - and it is usually bitter.

I was in favour of keeping Goodwin right until the Saints debacle, but hearing him talk about how close we are to success, well, he just about won me over again!

I am sad to see him go and hope to be able to shake his hand and say thanks one day.

Go Dees

I am feeling sadness, relief, disappointment, excitement but also concern.

I think we all knew the writing was on the wall for Simon Goodwin.

Especially after losing to St. Kilda when we were up by 46 points at 3/4 time. I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back, as they say.

However, I am deeply concerned how the players will respond for the final 3 weeks. Will they "play for the jumper" or say [censored] this Club and not bother?

For the older Melbourne supporters they will recall how in 1973 that many of the players were very angry and upset when Ian Ridley was sacked. He was very popular with the players and several threatened to leave the Club when it happened.

With Simon Goodwin also being very popular with the players, will we see a player exodus as well? Will the Demon players "not show up" for the final 3 rounds.

That is what I greatly worry about....

Anyway, we shall wait and see I guess?

I feel flat. Was super busy at work and if not for a friend calling early this morning with the news wouldn't have known until I'd finished for the day. I'd have preferred us to see out his contract and then mutually agree not to renew if next year turned out to be another disappointment. From what I've read I don't think I want to watch his presser. Not yet anyway.

3 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I feel flat. Was super busy at work and if not for a friend calling early this morning with the news wouldn't have known until I'd finished for the day. I'd have preferred us to see out his contract and then mutually agree not to renew if next year turned out to be another disappointment. From what I've read I don't think I want to watch his presser. Not yet anyway.

Yeah it’s a tough watch. I turned it off halfway through.

It’s a pretty brutal thing to get fired from a job you’ve dedicated your life to for 9 years and then have to rock up to a press conference and answer questions in front of the media and your former players while sitting next to the guy who fired you.

It’s hard. I still remember how sad I was when Daniher was sacked. I was even gutted for Dean Bailey who I knew was being scapegoated for far larger issues.

It’s always unpleasant to lose a coach (unless that coach is Neeld 😬), and it’s even harder to lose a coach that was so successful and brought us the joy of a flag. Something I personally thought I would die without seeing.

But two things can be true at once. You can be sad about a relationship ending, and also acknowledge that it’s best to part ways. Not every breakup has to be bad.

I wish Goody all the absolute best and have no doubt he has a long footy career still ahead. I will always respect him for what he gave us and what he achieved, and the grace with which he carried himself to the very end.

Too many sad sacks on this site! Me?pleased by the deveopments, and the future of the club! Also, just about to go into Madame Tusaud's Wax Works Museum in London, turning into a pearler of a day!

Edited August 5Aug 5 by picket fence

33 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I feel flat. Was super busy at work and if not for a friend calling early this morning with the news wouldn't have known until I'd finished for the day. I'd have preferred us to see out his contract and then mutually agree not to renew if next year turned out to be another disappointment. From what I've read I don't think I want to watch his presser. Not yet anyway.

I think the decision was fair and mostly expected.

I thought the press conference was quite cold by Green. You could see he was quite defensive and maybe that was just the stress, but I also picked up on Goodwin’s animosity.

Their words didn’t really reflect it, it was more in the body language.

Fingers crossed onwards and upwards.

I just watched the Goody segment on AFL360 followed by his press conference. Fair to say that I didn’t ’nut up’ and that I fought back tears.

Excited for changes.

Its been brewing for a long time.