Despite the increasing heat on his seat in the box, Demons senior coach Simon Goodwin says he feels "incredibly supported" by Melbourne's board of directors as the club looks ahead to its clash with West Coast on Saturday afternoon.
Melbourne capitulated spectacularly against St Kilda last Sunday, blowing a 46-point three-quarter time lead with Saints superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera drilling a heartbreaking goal after the siren to complete the comeback. The shock loss has led to immense scrutiny toward Goodwin from pundits and fans as Melbourne slumped to a measly 6-13 record.
Speculation surrounding Goodwin's future at the club mounted as he fronted the board in a meeting on Monday night, but the coach was quick to quash rumours while speaking to media on Thursday.
"It was a standard board meeting around the strategy, where we're at and what we're trying to achieve," Goodwin said.
"We're all very aligned about the process of where we need to go to and what we need to create success. We always knew that in this period of transition that there would be challenges.
"These conversations are ongoing... I feel incredibly supported by the board; I have for nine years. We've been able to go through these challenges before with clarity and strength, and stability to create success. In 2019, we finished second-last, and two years later, we won the flag."
Goodwin aimed to look at Sunday's loss optimistically, arguing it could become a turning point after a tumultuous campaign, referencing a similar scenario the club endured in 2018.
"Sometimes when you have moments like you had on the weekend in the last quarter, it exposes things quicker, so you can do something about it quicker. In some ways, this could be a moment we look back on as an incredibly helpful moment for where we want to go," Goodwin said.
"I've been in this position before; 2018, we played a game down in Geelong, and we were up by 30 points. Geelong kicked eight goals in the last quarter, and Zach Tuohy took a mark and kicked a goal after the siren to win the game.
"These things happen in footy and happen for a reason, but what it can do, as hard as it is on everyone... it can help you grow. It did then, and it will this time."
Goodwin's positive theory isn't too far-fetched. Just last year, Hawthorn suffered a crushing last-second loss to Port Adelaide in Round 10 after leading by as much as 41 points, a wake-up call that set their fairytale campaign in motion. The Hawks would go on to win 11 of their next 13 games.
While many have questioned the leadership at Melbourne this season, pointing to the similarities between their 2021 premiership list and their current one, Goodwin made clear that the shortcomings of this season do not fall solely on their shoulders.
"It's a different core, it's a different age bracket of core. We're a different team to what we were [in 2021], we're a new team." Goodwin said.
"It's not just on our leaders, it's on everyone to be in a position to be able to communicate to a level and have a mindset around playing the contest that every moment and contest matters, irrespective of the scoreboard.
"That's the type of approach we need to develop; otherwise, we'll keep having inconsistencies.
"The players trust each other, they trust the process, but clearly on the weekend they got it wrong."
The Demons have a great chance to heal the fresh wounds of the Marvel Stadium loss this weekend, taking on the lowly West Coast Eagles there on Saturday at 1:20pm (AEST).
