AFL Easter Saturday LIVE: Goodwin’s men win their first game in 245 days, ease pressure on the coach

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin can breathe easy after his Kysaiah Pickett-inspired Demons delivered a breakthrough 10-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.

Winless after five rounds, the Demons, after a week of intense scrutiny by club officials and questions about Goodwin’s future, had their best performance of the season – booting 16 goals in front of 25,202 supporters.

Having averaged just 51 points per game over the previous fortnight, the Demons passed that total midway through the second term, and had equalled their season-high tally of 74 points by half-time.

“We are trying to develop and learn on the spot. We didn’t have May or Lever, that’s a pretty young group, and we are trying to score. The mindset of our defence was awesome today,” skipper Max Gawn told Fox Footy.

The Demons made a statement at selection when they axed key forward duo Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen. Pickett (five goals) and Harrison Petty (four) responded.

“I feel like we are in a position where we had no choice. We needed to make some changes,” Goodwin said pre-game on Fox Footy.

“We had a couple of guys that needed to get back into some form. But, first and foremost, it was about getting some pressure down in our forward 50. Everyone understands where it’s at and what we need to do.”

Pickett was brilliant. He was the Energiser bunny at centre bounces, using his pace and flair to carry the ball, while he was brilliant up forward.

Petty had three goals before half-time, having been sent forward for this game. Daniel Turner was shifted to defence but did not take part after half-time because of concussion, coming on a day the Demons were without key defensive planks Jake Lever and Steven May – the latter nursing a groin issue.

Jack Viney was given the tagging role on Caleb Serong and shut the prime mover down in the first half, while finishing the afternoon with 25 possessions of his own. Tom McDonald had the job on Josh Treacy and held the Dockers’ goalkicking tall to only one goal, while Jake Bowey (29 disposals) was composed and direct across half-back.

Gawn had the better of Sean Darcy in the ruck, and had a direct hand in the sealing goal when his handball from a throw-in found Harvey Langford, who snapped successfully, nudging the Demons’ lead to two goals with five minutes remaining.

Christian Petracca – despite not having the influence he may have wanted – had moments of class.
The Demons made a statement early, supplying six first-quarter goals – their best term of the season. Their ability to move the ball fluently and with purpose through centre forward even drew a standing ovation from the MCC faithful.

For the most part, this was a high-octane contest. Shai Bolton knows a thing or two about delivering on the MCG and the former premiership Tiger was in superb touch. The Dockers looked to him to add bite inside attacking 50, and he responded with three goals and a direct hand in several others. He was also busy further afield.

Having spent the week in Melbourne, the Dockers were fresh, and believed they had the run required to overcome a 19-point deficit at the final break. Despite the best efforts of Andrew Brayshaw, it wasn’t to be.

Goodwin spoke through the week of his men needing to embrace a better defensive philosophy when they didn’t have the ball. For the most part, the Demons delivered on that.

Club president Brad Green publicly called for a reprisal of the flair seen in the third term against Essendon last week. His wish was also delivered.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was floated as a possible successor to Goodwin, should the Demons opt to move on from their 2021 premiership coach. But Beveridge has shut that suggestion down, and Goodwin – contracted through until the end of 2026 – says he doesn’t intend to go anywhere.

“Absolutely. One thing I haven’t lost belief in is my ability to coach and this playing group. I absolutely believe in this playing group,” Goodwin said.

The Demons now prepare for their annual Anzac Eve clash against Richmond on Thursday, while the Dockers host Adelaide a day later.