Has there ever been a more tumultuous coaching reign that has resulted in an AFL premiership?
Despite Simon Goodwin's upcoming inglorious dismissal, the coach led Melbourne to their first AFL flag in 57 years during the COVID-affected 2021 season.
While the premiership win arguably makes Goodwin's nine-year reign as senior coach a success - there hasn't many coaches subject to more scrutiny or issuers with his team off-the-field.
Goodwin took over as Demons coach in 2017 in a succession plan from Paul Roos and led the club to their first finals series in 12 years on 2018, where they reached the preliminary final.
MORE: Melbourne set to sack Simon Goodwin after run of poor form
However almost inexplicably the following season, Melbourne finished second-last and looked as far away as ever from their first premiership since 1957.
After just missing the finals in 2020, Melbourne snared the minor premiership and AFL flag in 2021, winning against the Western Bulldogs in Perth.
But further success eluded Melbourne despite their regular season success, finishing in the top four through 2022 and 2023, but going out in the finals in straight sets both years.
A bottom-four finish for the Demons in 2024 signalled what was likely the end of an era and their performances in 2025 have suggested a rebuild of sorts is needed.
MORE: Melbourne legend ‘shocked’ by Simon Goodwin sacking
Since, their AFL premiership win in 2021, arguably no other AFL club has had as much off-field turmoil as Melbourne.
The Sporting News lists all the reported incidents below.
Melbourne off-field turmoil since 2021
- February 2022: Melbourne forced to defend Simon Goodwin against alleged behaviour issues, which included allegations of excessive drinking, gambling and workplace bullying claims.
- June 2022: Senior players Steven May and Jake Melksham involved in a fight between each other at a restaurant, with May ending up with a black eye
- October 2023: Senior player Joel Smith provisionally banned after testing positive to cocaine after Melbourne's Round 23 win against Hawthorn. Smith was eventually banned for four years.
- October 2023: Star Clayton Oliver ended up in hospital following a medical episode. This came after several social media videos emerged of questionable behaviour.
- October 2023: Amid allegations of a drug culture at Melbourne following Smith and Oliver's incidents, Goodwin denies using drugs himself.
- March 2024: Federal MP Andrew Wilkie makes allegations of serious misconduct against Melbourne in federal parliament. Wilkie claimed the Demons used off-the-book drug testers and they told players to fake injuries to cover positive drugs tests. Wilkie said the allegations were provided by former Melbourne president Glenn Bartlett, former Melbourne doctor Zeeshan Arain and Shaun Smith, the father of Joel Smith.
- June 2024: Christian Petracca is rushed to hospital after suffering a grade 5 lacerated spleen, four broken ribs and a punctured lung during the King's Birthday match with Collingwood, His condition is critical at one stage. Melbourne are criticised for sending Petracca back out to play after the collision
- August 2024: It emerges Petracca is reportedly seeking a move away from Melbourne, while Alex Neal-Bullen is keen to return to South Australia and there is speculation Kosi Pickett wants out
- September 2024: Melbourne president Kate Roffey quits.
- June 2025: Captain Max Gawn pushes Steven May in the chest after the siren as the Demons went down to Collingwood by one-point.