AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says only the ‘most ANGRY alpha males in Australia’ make it as footy coaches in a damning assessment of what it takes to lead a club in modern-day footy
- His comments came from an investigation into Goodwin and the Demons in ’21
- Goodwin faced claims of bullying and inappropriate behaviour at the club
- He was almost sacked ahead of the 2021 premiership-winning AFL season
- Goodwin insists the playing group remains unified despite recent incidents
AFL boss Gil McLachlan issued a damning assessment of the qualities needed to make it as a first-grade coach when he was involved in the Melbourne Demons’ investigation into Simon Goodwin’s behaviour last year, it has been revealed.
The internal review almost resulted in the 2021 premiership-winning coach getting the sack after allegations that he bullied staff and had serious issues with his management style.
McLachlan said that only ‘angry, alpha males’ can cut it as AFL coaches
McLachlan intervened in February, 2021 to address the crisis head-on. The meeting was held between McLachlan, AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder, since-departed Demons president Glen Bartlett and club vice-president Mohan Jesudason on February 2 in 2021.
In notes from the meeting obtained by the Herald Sun, McLachlan made the comments that only a rare breed of alpha male can cut it at AFL coaching level.
‘They are binary aggressive people … maybe 1200 people in the country qualified to be coaches and the most alpha black and white angry men are the 18 people who make it … that’s the way it is, unfortunately,’ McLachlan said.
Demons head coach Simon Goodwin (R) congratulates Daniel Turner of the Demons after announcing Turner will debut against Collingwood on Monday
He added that managing coaches is one of the ‘most difficult’ things clubs have to do.
His comments come to light in the same week the Demons have come under fire for a physical altercation between players.
Jake Melksham punched teammate Steven May outside a Prahran restaurant on Sunday. May was given a one-match internal suspension while both players will be required to carry out community service.
There have been suggestions the penalties were too lenient and an AFL investigation including viewing CCTV footage could lead to longer bans.
Goodwin denied the club had been too soft on the players, especially Melksham, who will also miss the Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood after having surgery on his hand when it became infected due to the punch on May.
‘I don’t tolerate violence in any form and I don’t think anyone does and that’s why the sanctions are in place but we have worked really hard to build respect for each other within our environment, how we talk to each other, how we recognise each other, how we celebrate each other, is really important,’ he said.
‘So, if that’s how the conversation started in and around that topic, it’s a worthy conversation to have and a worthy topic to talk about.’
The incident involving May and Melksham was allegedly triggered over comments made about Melksham not playing in the 2021 grand final.
Suspended Demon May talks with Jack Viney and Christian Petracca during a training session at Casey Fields on June 10
There have been claims there is a divide in the club between the players who lined up in the premiership team and those who did not. Goodwin flatly denied there is any such rift at the club.
‘There is no divide, they are united, and will continue to forge ahead and try and do something special,’ he said.
‘This incident isn’t going to define our playing group. They are united. They are committed to the cause, they know they have made a mistake. Hopefully, in time, people will see this as a real galvanising time for us
‘I think Max [Gawn] summed it up well when he said it was embarrassing for everyone that is involved in our footy club. We have worked really hard to build what we have built internally and, obviously, externally that is shown out on field.’
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