Simon Goodwin Reflects on Misguided Comments About Max Gawn’s Personal Challenges

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has expressed regret over revealing details of Max Gawn’s personal issues following the club’s loss to North Melbourne on Sunday.

Goodwin pointed to an undisclosed “backstory” as a factor behind Gawn’s disappointing performance, where the Melbourne captain was notably outmatched by Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri.

In what seemed like a breach of privacy regarding his player’s struggles, the 48-year-old coach later acknowledged that he wished he had refrained from making such comments.

“I should’ve kept my mouth shut, shouldn’t I?” Goodwin reflected during an appearance on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“I just didn’t communicate it as well as I intended… As a coach, you sometimes go into protective mode. I hold a lot of affection for him and truly appreciate what he contributes to our club.”

“I didn’t express it the way I wanted.

“If I had my time again, I certainly would steer clear of that, but sometimes that protective instinct takes over.”

Goodwin mentioned that he left the media conference and promptly apologised to Gawn for his remarks.

“As soon as I exited the room, I realised I needed to speak with him right away,” he recounted.

“He took it in stride, knowing where I was coming from. He gave me a hug and said, ‘It’s all good. We’re fine. We’ll keep pushing on.’

“That’s the nature of our relationship… we won’t always get it right.”

Gawn acknowledged that his coach’s remarks stemmed from a place of “affection and concern,” but emphasised that he preferred no excuses to be made for his lacklustre performance.

The 33-year-old dismissed any speculation of a rift with Goodwin.

“There’s no problem between Goody and me,” he told SEN.

“He’s like a father figure to me, and I appreciate the love and care he shows.”

Nonetheless, some critics worried that Goodwin may have intentionally used Gawn’s personal circumstances as a way to deflect from addressing Melbourne’s 59-point defeat.

Goodwin acknowledged that he understood how some might arrive at such an interpretation but insisted that was not his intention at all.

“You open yourself up (to that kind of scrutiny) and, because I didn’t communicate it effectively, it was left open to interpretation, which is what happens,” Goodwin said.

“People can interpret it in numerous ways. Many different stories emerge, and varied meanings can be drawn from it.

“As I’ve said, we’re not perfect, and we’ll learn from this.”