'There's a backstory': Demons coach under fire after Max Gawn 'balls-up' in cryptic post-game presser
Updated . First published
Simon Goodwin has fuelled the rumour mill surrounding Max Gawn, with bizarre post-match comments placing the Melbourne captain under the microscope.
The 33-year-old was outplayed on Sunday afternoon by Tristan Xerri in the 125-66 loss against North Melbourne in a disappointing all-round performance from the Demons.
Gawn struggled to contain Xerri, who finished with 20 disposals and one goal.
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Max Gawn during the Demons' round two loss. Getty
While it could have been put down to a bad day at the office, Gawn's coach made some interesting comments in his press conference when asked about the veteran's display.
"Our people are really important to us, and Max is one of those guys," Goodwin said.
"I think he'll acknowledge that he got beaten by a really good opponent - but you've also got to realise that in life, there are other things that are going on.
"We'll support Max. He's a great person. He's a great leader. There's a backstory to everyone's performance, and Max is someone that we take enormous pride in.
"He's going to continue to be a great leader for this footy club."
Goodwin was asked to elaborate on the nature of Gawn's issues, but shut it down.
Simon Goodwin speaks to media after round two. AFL
"I'm not going to go into the details," he said.
"There's footy, and there's stuff in life, and we've just got to understand that people have backstories and he's someone that we love dearly.
"He will certainly be a big part of our response."
The eyebrow-raising comments from Goodwin lit up social media, with many criticial of the coach fuelling speculation about Gawn's personal life.
North Melbourne great David King was also critical of the comments from Goodwin, who has now placed unnecessary pressure on one of the club's favourite sons.
"It's a balls-up, really," he said on SEN Radio.
"There's no way Simon Goodwin should have broached this in the post-match.
"There's no need to put this out in the public sphere ... all this does is have everyone hunting after a story."
Melbourne have lost their first two games of the season and will face Gold Coast in round three.
