As Demon fans, we’ve ridden a rollercoaster of emotions over the decades; the heartbreaks, the near misses, the wooden spoons, and the endless waiting. But through it all, we clung to hope. And then came Simon Goodwin.

Before he ever wore red and blue, he was a champion in his own right. A five-time All-Australian, two-time Best and Fairest, and two-time premiership hero and Captain with Adelaide, Simon Goodwin was always destined to lead. When he transitioned from the field to the coach's box, first as an assistant at Essendon, he began shaping a new legacy.

In 2014, he joined the Melbourne Football Club as an assistant coach, handpicked to be Paul Roos’ successor. It was a plan built on patience and vision and when Goody finally took the reins in 2017, there was a renewed sense of belief. We could feel something stirring.

Under his guidance, we began to see what was possible. He instilled defensive grit, relentless attack, demanded effort, and taught this proud but battered club how to fight again. In 2018, he took us back to September for the first time in over a decade. We stormed into a preliminary final after years wandering the football wilderness. For the first time in a long time, we believed.

Then came 2021.

It’s almost impossible to find the words to capture what that year meant to us. In the darkest days of lockdowns and isolation, Simon Goodwin led us to the light. He took a group of talented but unproven players and turned them into a ruthless, relentless machine. He dared them to dream. He made us believe again.

And then, on a September night in Perth, he delivered us the moment we’d waited 57 long years for.

A premiership.

A demolition.
A masterpiece.
A drought-breaker.

Simon Goodwin did what so many before him could not. He gave generations of Demon fans something to hold on to. For those who waited their whole lives. For the ones who didn’t believe they would ever live to see it. For the kids who now know what glory feels like. He made that happen.

But footy is brutal. The expectations rise. The pressure mounts. And the same man who brought us our greatest joy has now been shown the door.

It hurts. It’s confusing. It feels wrong in some ways.

But above all, we are grateful.

Grateful for the calm in the chaos. Grateful for the what he helped achieved for our club. Grateful for the premiership cup that now stands in our cabinet. He etched his name into Melbourne Football Club history, not just as a coach, but as a redeemer.

There were lows, frustrating losses, finals heartbreaks, questions that went unanswered but no one can ever take away what he accomplished. He changed the course of our club forever.

So thank you, Goody.

Thank you for the belief.
Thank you for the memories.
Thank you for 2021.
Thank you for giving us our time.

You’ll always be a part of the Melbourne family.

Forever a Demon.

Is this intended for him to see, @Demonland?

You have my vote.

That wasn't specifically the intention. It was more of a public thank you.

Can we get some sort of official letter to him? Without being totally corny.

Maybe if we can reach out to the club, and have them provide an email address for them, and they forward it?

I’m sure he would appreciate it.

Do we even have a Demonland letterhead?

Beautifully written. Thank you

Thank you Simon for all your toil your contribution and your commitment thst led finally to that one day in September and I will never forget it.

Luckily I witnessed that fabulous game and our fantastic players gave 100% plus to ensure we have thst Cip in the cabinet.

Unfortunately things have transpired since an we are parting ways. All the best and please know you are a Demon legend and hero for all time.

all the best for your future and special thanks again for one of the best and greatest events in my 70 years plus lifetime.

PhillipG ( 58er)

I 100% agree with the opening post.

6 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Can we get some sort of official letter to him? Without being totally corny.

Maybe if we can reach out to the club, and have them provide an email address for them, and they forward it?

I’m sure he would appreciate it.

We should also attach the "Is Goodwin the right guy" thread too. Hey may (or may not) get a kick out of it.

Asides from 2021, 2018 is my favorite season over the last 2 decades and it’s all thanks to Goodwin.

Goodwin changed the game numerous times and the way he transformed us into a feared club after decades purgatory. He was the mad scientist tactically trying things like the 3 off the back of the square strategy and I thought he bought the best out of O-Mac and Frost as a pairing when Lever went down with the ACL.

Instead of playing them as pure lockdowns, he played them as fairly attacking defenders. While there were frustrations with the high line defense, I thought the 1%ers and rebound we got from the defense overall contributed to being the highest scoring side in 2018. We obviously weren’t great defensively, but considering the names on paper, Goodwin did really well.

Took a while to adjust to 6-6-6, but throughout 21-23 we were unbeatable and really, only beat ourselves in the finals. Goodwin literally revolutionized “contest” and the appetite to hunt. It wasn’t pretty, but the results spoke for themselves.

People will eventually remember what Goodwin did throughout his reign at the club and will rightfully remember him as a legend of the club.

Edited August 6Aug 6 by VNightCityLegend

Thank you Goody. I never thought I would see a Premiership my life time so I will be eternally grateful for 2021. ❤️💙

Edited August 6Aug 6 by jane02
Edit

9 hours ago, Demonland said:

As Demon fans, we’ve ridden a rollercoaster of emotions over the decades; the heartbreaks, the near misses, the wooden spoons, and the endless waiting. But through it all, we clung to hope. And then came Simon Goodwin.

Before he ever wore red and blue, he was a champion in his own right. A five-time All-Australian, two-time Best and Fairest, and two-time premiership hero and Captain with Adelaide, Simon Goodwin was always destined to lead. When he transitioned from the field to the coach's box, first as an assistant at Essendon, he began shaping a new legacy.

In 2014, he joined the Melbourne Football Club as an assistant coach, handpicked to be Paul Roos’ successor. It was a plan built on patience and vision and when Goody finally took the reins in 2017, there was a renewed sense of belief. We could feel something stirring.

Under his guidance, we began to see what was possible. He instilled defensive grit, relentless attack, demanded effort, and taught this proud but battered club how to fight again. In 2018, he took us back to September for the first time in over a decade. We stormed into a preliminary final after years wandering the football wilderness. For the first time in a long time, we believed.

Then came 2021.

It’s almost impossible to find the words to capture what that year meant to us. In the darkest days of lockdowns and isolation, Simon Goodwin led us to the light. He took a group of talented but unproven players and turned them into a ruthless, relentless machine. He dared them to dream. He made us believe again.

And then, on a September night in Perth, he delivered us the moment we’d waited 57 long years for.

A premiership.

A demolition.
A masterpiece.
A drought-breaker.

Simon Goodwin did what so many before him could not. He gave generations of Demon fans something to hold on to. For those who waited their whole lives. For the ones who didn’t believe they would ever live to see it. For the kids who now know what glory feels like. He made that happen.

But footy is brutal. The expectations rise. The pressure mounts. And the same man who brought us our greatest joy has now been shown the door.

It hurts. It’s confusing. It feels wrong in some ways.

But above all, we are grateful.

Grateful for the calm in the chaos. Grateful for the what he helped achieved for our club. Grateful for the premiership cup that now stands in our cabinet. He etched his name into Melbourne Football Club history, not just as a coach, but as a redeemer.

There were lows, frustrating losses, finals heartbreaks, questions that went unanswered but no one can ever take away what he accomplished. He changed the course of our club forever.

So thank you, Goody.

Thank you for the belief.
Thank you for the memories.
Thank you for 2021.
Thank you for giving us our time.

You’ll always be a part of the Melbourne family.

Forever a Demon.

Well said Andy ty

Took me a while to warm to the Goody pressers, which were and probably almost even to the end pretty dry and unemotive, but over time, I came to appreciate his cool, calm and collected approach and outward persona. I think the players also welcomed that and he seemed genuinely loved by all the playing group as backed by Ed's words in the past few days. Let's also remember that Goody played a big part in bringing Melksham and Hibbo to the club, which I do think we're important steps to bringing home the flag. I also feel he was important in retaining Kossie.

Roosy and Goody always had the mantra of putting us in a position to compete and play a brand that stood up in big finals and I think that was achieved. The 2018 finals series was sensational. Beating Hawthorn and Geelong in consecutive finals was something I would have dreamed of as a supporter growing up in the late 80s, 90s. Going to WA to play a comparatively well rested West Coast on their home deck in a prelim was always a huge ask for a young inexperienced side. The whole 2021 finals series was an absolute blast. Even though we went out in strait sets in 22 and 23, losses by 22, 13, 7 and 2 points is being pretty bloody competitive.

Thanks for ride Goody. Personally I'm sorry that you won't be there if the list can make it to another premership, but hope you do take something out of laying the foundations. Massive gratitude to the only MFC premiership coach in my lifetime.

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Thank you Goody. A real leader of men at this club through the best and worst of times. You’ll be sorely missed by many.

Great post Andy, nailed it

Great post. Sums it up perfectly

Thanks Goody, I loved the 2021 premiership you steered the club to.

They are hard as hell to win and you got us to climb the unclimbable mountain.

I guess it's been mentioned, but geez I'd love to see him at the Bluey. I've no doubt Simon would receive a standing ovation.

Do people still write letters to clubs to show their gratitude? Or is it all just tweets and Xboxes now?

3 minutes ago, layzie said:

Do people still write letters to clubs to show their gratitude? Or is it all just tweets and Xboxes now?

I was thinking of putting it in the Classifieds in the The Sun newspaper.

All Melbourne supporters should stand and clap at the 21 minute mark of the first quarter on Sunday to show our appreciation for what Simon Goodwin achieved with the MFC.