Comparison puts pressure on struggling Melbourne Demons coach as calls grow for change
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Calls have grown for struggling Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin to move aside for a 'new era' come to come through, making comparison to Leon Cameron's exit from the GWS Giants in 2022.
The winless Demons took another blow over the weekend, reaching a 13-year team low after losing to Essendon at the AFL's Gather Round.
During a segment on Nine's Footy Furnace in the wake of their latest loss, Tom Morris pointed out the similarities between the Demons and the Giants from three years ago.
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Simon Goodwin after the Gather Round loss. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The comparison between the Giants in 2022 with Leon Cameron is evident," he said.
"Cameron was in his ninth season with the club, Simon Goodwin is in his ninth season with Melbourne now, Cameron was relatively successful.
"At the moment, you have a situation in Melbourne where it might just be the end of an era whether Goodwin stays or not. There is still going to be a lot of change around him.
"There is still a chance to salvage this era if they make the right calls now."
Goodwin has been at the helm since 2017 and has enjoyed plenty of success, including leading the Dees to a flag, but things have started to trend in the wrong direction.
Essendon great James Hird said a decision needs to come back to whether the club are able to reach that premiership level again or not.
"I think what Simon needs to decide is, does he think he can take this team to the next flag, and if he can, he stays and if he can't, then he goes away for a while," he said.
The Dees' season went from bad to worse on Saturday. Getty
"He's only 48, he has a huge coaching future ahead of him, but it's something he needs to sit down with the leaders of the club.
"What in his mind, he needs to get them back to the ladder cause that makes decisions on everything else in your football department."
Jimmy Bartel admitted that "time can run out" on coaches, but doesn't doubt Goodwin will find another job in the future.
Melbourne have anther chance to get their first win of the season when they take on Fremantle this Saturday at the MCG.
