BREAKING: Demons bombshell as Premiership coach Simon Goodwin sacked in shock $1m move

Simon Goodwin — the coach that famously led Melbourne to its drought-breaking premiership only four years ago — has reportedly been sacked by the Demons after almost nine seasons at the club.

Herald Sun chief football reporter and Fox Footy First Crack host Jay Clark on Tuesday morning reported Goodwin had been told his services at Melbourne were no longer required on Monday night — just two days after coaching his team to an 83-point win over West Coast.

Foxfooty.com.au has reached out to Melbourne for comment.

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REACTION: Legend ‘totally shocked’ by sacking... but ‘writing has been on the wall’

Melbourne legend Garry Lyon, who found out about Goodwin’s departure while live on air, labelled it “a massive call” by the Demons.

“I’m stunned, shocked, totally shocked. Absolutely, just shocked, I can’t get my head around it,” Lyon said on SEN after hearing the news.

“I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determined whether he could coach out the final year of his contract. Premiership coaches are rare at Melbourne, he’s one of four, he will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee tenure.”

Goodwin proud after bounce back win | 07:32

After steering the Demons to the 2021 premiership — their first flag since 1964 — the Demons finished inside the top four in both 2022 and 2023, but suffered consecutive straight-sets finals exits.

The Demons sit 12th on the AFL ladder with a 7-13 record and a percentage of 95.

Goodwin, 48, was contracted to Melbourne until the end of the 2026 season. He will reportedly receive a near $1 million payout for next season.

He presented to the board last Monday following Melbourne’s horror loss to St Kilda, where it coughed up a record three-quarter time lead and two goals in the final 10 seconds to lose the match.

Goodwin last week said the meeting was a routine presentation and denied he was coaching for his career against the Eagles.

“We’re all very aligned about the process of where we need to go to, what we need to create success,” Goodwin said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Simon Goodwin was reportedly sacked on Tuesday mornimg.Source: Getty Images

“We always knew that in this transition period that there would be challenges, our job is not to get consumed with the noise.

“Our job is to go about the process … these conversations are ongoing and we’re really clear about the strategy. I feel incredibly supported by the board, I have for nine years.

“I’ve been able to go through these challenges before with clarity and strength and stability to create success; 2019 we finished second last, two years later we won the flag.

“You can’t get consumed in noise, all you can do is be clear with your strategy, clear with your process, understand challenge, be clear about it and go about the process to build the next great team – I feel incredibly supported by the board.”

Goodwin took over from Paul Roos at the end of the 2016 season as part of a succession plan.

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