Melbourne coach Goodwin angered by unfounded drug rumours
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Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin was angered and frustrated at rumours circulating about him using illicit drugs when senior club officials raised them with him on the eve of the 2021 season.
His response to the rumours was recorded in a statement released by the Demons on Tuesday after discussions at a board meeting held three years ago about his future at the time were leaked.
Board minutes were circulated in a report published by the Herald Sun on Tuesday.
In a statement the club said Goodwin had denied the rumours to club leaders, including the insinuation he was using illicit drugs.
Simon Goodwin, Melbourne’s 2021 premiership coach.Credit: Getty Images
The club statement said it investigated and found no evidence to substantiate the claims.
Club CEO Gary Pert also spoke to people who had been sharing the rumours about Goodwin’s behaviour and he said all indicated they had no proof to back up the rumours with the club saying in a statement “those rumours were thoroughly investigated at the time”.
The board decided to back the coach who then led the club to the 2021 premiership.
The club was forced into outlining the process they undertook as the information was circulating after details of a board meeting three years ago that revealed Melbourne had engaged in scenario planning in case they had to remove Goodwin as coach was leaked on Tuesday.
“Whilst it is appropriate for the board to consider the range of scenarios that may have occurred as a result of the rumours, it is important to note that does not mean the rumours were true or the board believed that to be the case,” the statement read.
“Simon categorically denied any of the rumours including the insinuation that he was using illicit drugs.
“At the time the rumours were put to Simon, he expressed his anger, frustration and hurt that people were circulating information about him that was untrue.
“He asked Gary to follow up directly with individuals who were sharing those rumours, and all of those spoken to by Gary indicated they had no proof of any of the claims they were making.”
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