Ousted Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is hopeful that his time at the Demons won’t be his last as a senior AFL coach, after he was sacked Monday night.
Goodwin coached the Demons for nine years, and will go down as a legend of the club, helping guide his side to a premiership in 2021.
But following the success of a flag, the Demons were never able to repeat their efforts of that drought-breaking year, eventually falling outside of the top eight, amid a multitude of off-field issues.
Despite the chaos that ensued in his final days, Goodwin remains optimistic that he will find another senior coaching gig one day.
MORE: Simon Goodwin's possible coaching replacements after Melbourne sacking
“I’d love to coach again,” Goodwin told a packed media conference.
“I love coaching, I love the game.
“Right now I need a little holiday, I need a rest.
“I’ve been 30 straight years in this game. Finishing up a little bit early gives that time for a little bit more rest.”
The Dees' decision to sack Goodwin comes in spite of an enormous 83-point victory over West Coast on the weekend, with president Brad Green saying that the club was ready for a new voice.
"We just believe that the club was looking for a new voice and a new leader to take this group forward," Green said.
Melbourne entered the year hoping to get back into the finals picture, but quickly fell behind pace after losing their first five games of the season.
They currently sit 12th on the ladder with just seven wins to their name, entering the final three games of the season.
Goodwin was offered the chance to coach out the remainder of the year, but elected to bow out once he knew he was no longer Melbourne’s man.
Troy Chaplin will take over as interim coach for the rest of 2025.