MELBOURNE captain Max Gawn said he was shocked but not angry at the sacking of coach Simon Goodwin, and he’s urged prospective suitors to take the call from the Demons.
Goodwin, who led Melbourne to the 2021 flag, was axed on Tuesday despite having a contract that ran until the end of 2026.
Melbourne (7-13) sits 12th on the ladder, with the club’s board believing the team needs a new voice to help steer it towards the finals again.
Demons wingman Ed Langdon made it clear on Wednesday that he didn’t agree with the board’s opinion.
Gawn was more diplomatic during his Triple M radio slot on Thursday, toeing a fine line between expressing his love for Goodwin and respecting the “ballsy” decision from the club’s board.
“I was shocked, as most people were. They didn’t see it coming,” said Gawn, who revealed he was “down in the dumps” upon hearing the news.
“I’m definitely not angry.
“I’m a lover of the Melbourne Football Club, and in the end I’m going to support most decisions they make, and this is another one I’m going to get behind.
“They’ve sacked people who I’ve loved before, and I’ve moved on, and so have they.
“This one is a harder one to take … but I also have great relationships with people who made the decision, and they’ve explained it carefully to me as to why.”
When asked whether the Demons needed a new voice, Gawn joked: “Ed Langdon butchered this one yesterday.”
“Do we need a new voice? Look, I appreciate after nine years a new voice could help,” Gawn added.
“I was pretty bullish on what we were building at the football club and the old voice was doing well for me.
“But we were also 6-13, and good clubs don’t wait. It’s natural to be scared of change. I’m scared of change.
“I’ve got a lot of relationships in that building that I hope they all keep their jobs. But change sometimes is necessary.”
Nathan Buckley, John Longmire, Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley are among the experienced names floated to replace Goodwin, with former Essendon coach James Hird believed to have ruled himself out.
“I feel like it’s a call you should take,” Gawn said in a message to anyone who is considering applying for the role.
Troy Chaplin has been appointed interim coach for the rest of the season, starting with Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
