Former Melbourne coach and current Swans mentor Simon Goodwin shares his views on coaching ambitions for the future.

Former Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin is of the opinion that the desire to step back into a senior coaching role will eventually resurface as he acclimatises to his new position at Sydney.

This season, Goodwin joined the Swans as the Director of Coaching and Performance following his dismissal from Melbourne.

The exit of the premiership-winning coach was a key part of a major overhaul at the club, which also saw players like Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca depart.

Goodwin faced significant challenges, including turbulent board and administration changes, and concerns regarding the club’s culture.

In a recent discussion with The Sydney Morning Herald, Goodwin candidly addressed his current role and the motivations behind accepting it.

“For me, it was about staying involved in coaching,” he remarked.

“Coaching is my passion. I thrive on high performance, the competitive spirit, and the challenge of crafting success in a tough environment. I didn’t want to miss out on that.”

“However, I also aimed to be in a setting that was unique and different. Sydney undeniably offers that: both in terms of lifestyle and the club’s intriguing culture, which drew me in.”

Goodwin acknowledged that “at some point” he anticipates the desire to lead again will resurface.

“At the moment, I’m enjoying taking a step back and viewing coaching from a broader perspective, while supporting a young head coach in Coxy (Dean Cox). I really appreciate that—but I’m certain that urge will return at some stage,” he shared.

“For now, it’s certainly not my main focus. I want to enhance my skills and continue enjoying my work here. I’m dedicated to the Swans and aspire to achieve something truly special and unique here first.”

The 49-year-old also reflected on the challenges he faced while at Melbourne, where expectations escalated following their premiership victory.

Ultimately, Goodwin found himself under intense scrutiny, admitting that “the hardest thing” was the toll it took on his family.

“You end up bringing that pressure home to some extent, but I wouldn’t change my experience for the world,” he stated.

“There’s a remarkable intensity in our industry, which is ever-present. That’s a significant part of what makes our game so captivating. When you succeed, the accolades flow; when you falter, the criticism pours in.”