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Chairman still supports me: Demons coach

3 minute read

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he still has the support of his AFL club's chairman who described last week's loss as insipid.

Demons head coach SIMON GOODWIN.
Demons head coach SIMON GOODWIN. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is feeling the heat but says he retains the support of his chairman at the success-starved AFL club.

Chairman Glen Bartlett savaged the Demons as "insipid" and "disgraceful" in their heavy loss to Port Adelaide last weekend.

And Goodwin says he isn't surprised at Bartlett's comments, describing them as warranted.

"When the chairman speaks, you have got to listen," Goodwin told reporters on Tuesday.

"I have spoken to Glen at length and he has nothing but support for myself.

"I was employed to lead this footy club with a clear strategy to lead us to our next premiership.

"And I'm still very confident that we are going to be able to do that.

"If that puts pressure on me, those comments, I have got to accept that... I want to thrive in this environment, I want to thrive under this pressure."

Bartlett said Goodwin, contracted until the end of the 2022 season, and his football department must address the 51-point loss to Port.

"We just can't serve up that kind of rubbish," Bartlett said.

Goodwin said he had done just that before Wednesday night's clash against winless Adelaide who made a whopping eight changes to their side.

The Crows recalled acting captain Tom Doedee, Taylor Walker, Ned McHenry, Fraser McAsey, David Mackay, Darcy Fogarty while selecting Harry Schoenberg and Lachlan Sholl for their AFL debuts.

Adelaide listed Kyle Hartigan, Andrew McPherson , Shane McAdam, Tyson Stengle as omitted due to being managed, while Bryce Gibbs, Rory Atkins, Riley Knight and Kieran Strachan were dropped.

The Demons made four changes with misfiring forward Tom McDonald, Oscar McDonald and Mitch Hannan dropped while Kysiah Pickett was sidelined by an ankle injury.

Goodwin recalled Adam Tomlinson, Harley Bennell, Aaron vandenBerg and Alex Neal-Bullen.

The Demons mentor was adamant finals were achievable for the Demons, who sit in 15th spot with three wins and five losses.

"We're going to see games through this period where clubs have poor performances but I'm not going to sit here and make excuses for our footy club," Goodwin said.

"For too long there has been too many excuses - and some of it is reality and some of it is excuses.

"Right now, the Melbourne footy club needs reality.

"We need to play better, we need to welcome that pressure, but this season is alive, we're right in the mix."

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