Dragons defy wind and rain to topple ladder-leading Raiders
Coach Shane Flanagan nearly put a hole through the glass separating the coaching and media box when the Raiders were given a repeat set in the final minute while camped on the Red V's line – but in the end he had nothing to worry about.
Kyle Flanagan's kicking game was terrific, especially a sideline conversion from the south-eastern corner that was directly into the wind.
The conditions were so bad, club officials had to close the hill before kick-off for safety reasons because of lightning, rain and wind. The empty grass evoked memories of the competition when it was played behind closed doors during COVID in 2020.
The Dragons will still need a miracle to make the eight, but the two points moves them clear of the pack of teams still slugging it out for the wooden spoon. They don't deserve the dreaded gong when you consider how many of their losses have been by six points or less.
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Raiders forward Hudson Young was placed on report for a shoulder charge on Hame Sele – the contact was minimal – while David Klemmer was also cited for a tackle on Ata Mariota, which forced the prop off the field for a head injury assessment.
Feagai opened the scoring for the Dragons, Matt Timoko hit back for the visitors, before the Dragons slotted a couple of penalty goals on offer, including one for a late Joe Tapine hit on Kyle Flanagan.
The Dragons will be up for their local derby against Cronulla next week. The Raiders are still knee-deep in this title race, and the quicker they can forget the trip to Wollongong, the better. Stuart will try to ignore it, a bit like he tried to do with the miserable weather on the sideline.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Premiership window slammed shut for Goodwin after '21
The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell. The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell. The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterglow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Sacked coach Goodwin in rare air at Demons
SIMON GOODWIN'S COACHING CAREER AT MELBOURNE BY THE NUMBERS * One of just four premiership coaches at Melbourne, following the breakthrough 2021 flag, along with Albert Chadwick (1926), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (1939-41, 1948), Norm Smith (1955-57, 1959-60, 1964) * Ended a 57-year drought between premierships (1964-2021) * Coached 203 games, fourth-most in club history behind Norm Smith (310), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (258) and Neale Daniher (223) * 203 games coached (111 wins, one draw, 90 losses), winning percentage 55.20 per cent * Accolades: 2021 AFL Coaches Association coach of the year, 2021 All-Australian coach KEY MOMENTS * September 2014 - Then-Essendon assistant coach Goodwin is announced as Melbourne's next senior coach as part of a succession plan under Paul Roos. He signs a five-year deal, with the first two years as a senior assistant coach. * 2017 - The Demons finish ninth in Goodwin's first year at the helm. * 2018 - Melbourne goes on an incredible run to win its first final since 2006, beating Geelong in the elimination final, then Hawthorn in the semi-final, before losing to eventual premiers West Coast in the preliminary final. * 2019 - Goodwin signs a three-year contract extension but Melbourne slips to 17th on the ladder. The Demons draft Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett, two pivotal figures in their premiership win two years later. * 2021 - The Demons win the minor premiership in a COVID-19 affected season then storm their way to their first flag in 57 years, with Goodwin at the helm as they beat the Western Bulldogs in the grand final in Perth. * 2022-23 - The Demons twice finish in the top four but make straight-sets finals exits. * August 2023 - Goodwin signs a two-year contract extension until the end of 2026 * August 2025 - Goodwin is sacked with three rounds left in the 2025 season and with a year left on his contract. SIMON GOODWIN'S COACHING CAREER AT MELBOURNE BY THE NUMBERS * One of just four premiership coaches at Melbourne, following the breakthrough 2021 flag, along with Albert Chadwick (1926), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (1939-41, 1948), Norm Smith (1955-57, 1959-60, 1964) * Ended a 57-year drought between premierships (1964-2021) * Coached 203 games, fourth-most in club history behind Norm Smith (310), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (258) and Neale Daniher (223) * 203 games coached (111 wins, one draw, 90 losses), winning percentage 55.20 per cent * Accolades: 2021 AFL Coaches Association coach of the year, 2021 All-Australian coach KEY MOMENTS * September 2014 - Then-Essendon assistant coach Goodwin is announced as Melbourne's next senior coach as part of a succession plan under Paul Roos. He signs a five-year deal, with the first two years as a senior assistant coach. * 2017 - The Demons finish ninth in Goodwin's first year at the helm. * 2018 - Melbourne goes on an incredible run to win its first final since 2006, beating Geelong in the elimination final, then Hawthorn in the semi-final, before losing to eventual premiers West Coast in the preliminary final. * 2019 - Goodwin signs a three-year contract extension but Melbourne slips to 17th on the ladder. The Demons draft Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett, two pivotal figures in their premiership win two years later. * 2021 - The Demons win the minor premiership in a COVID-19 affected season then storm their way to their first flag in 57 years, with Goodwin at the helm as they beat the Western Bulldogs in the grand final in Perth. * 2022-23 - The Demons twice finish in the top four but make straight-sets finals exits. * August 2023 - Goodwin signs a two-year contract extension until the end of 2026 * August 2025 - Goodwin is sacked with three rounds left in the 2025 season and with a year left on his contract. SIMON GOODWIN'S COACHING CAREER AT MELBOURNE BY THE NUMBERS * One of just four premiership coaches at Melbourne, following the breakthrough 2021 flag, along with Albert Chadwick (1926), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (1939-41, 1948), Norm Smith (1955-57, 1959-60, 1964) * Ended a 57-year drought between premierships (1964-2021) * Coached 203 games, fourth-most in club history behind Norm Smith (310), Frank 'Checker' Hughes (258) and Neale Daniher (223) * 203 games coached (111 wins, one draw, 90 losses), winning percentage 55.20 per cent * Accolades: 2021 AFL Coaches Association coach of the year, 2021 All-Australian coach KEY MOMENTS * September 2014 - Then-Essendon assistant coach Goodwin is announced as Melbourne's next senior coach as part of a succession plan under Paul Roos. He signs a five-year deal, with the first two years as a senior assistant coach. * 2017 - The Demons finish ninth in Goodwin's first year at the helm. * 2018 - Melbourne goes on an incredible run to win its first final since 2006, beating Geelong in the elimination final, then Hawthorn in the semi-final, before losing to eventual premiers West Coast in the preliminary final. * 2019 - Goodwin signs a three-year contract extension but Melbourne slips to 17th on the ladder. The Demons draft Luke Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett, two pivotal figures in their premiership win two years later. * 2021 - The Demons win the minor premiership in a COVID-19 affected season then storm their way to their first flag in 57 years, with Goodwin at the helm as they beat the Western Bulldogs in the grand final in Perth. * 2022-23 - The Demons twice finish in the top four but make straight-sets finals exits. * August 2023 - Goodwin signs a two-year contract extension until the end of 2026 * August 2025 - Goodwin is sacked with three rounds left in the 2025 season and with a year left on his contract.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Premiership window slammed shut for Goodwin after '21
The AFL premiership window always looks at the time like it's built on a rock-solid structure. But the foundations can quickly turn to sand. Just ask Simon Goodwin's old club Adelaide, who are finally back in contention after paying a fearful price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand final. Likewise, four years ago Melbourne fans consoled themselves in the afterflow of their 57-year premiership drought ending, but in bittersweet circumstances. Sure, it wasn't ideal the grand final was played on the other side of the country because of COVID-19 restrictions. But with a list boasting Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Lever, May, Jackson, Brayshaw and Pickett, it was surely only a matter of time before they'd be running a lap of their spiritual MCG home with the premiership cup. Instead, the MCG was Tuesday's venue for the press conference where the diabolical Demons explained the decision to sack Goodwin as coach. What looked like the next premiership dynasty started unravelling spectacularly on February 8, 2022. That was when leaked documents were first published, outlining concerns over off-field issues at Melbourne before their triumphant 2021 season. Goodwin featured prominently in the reporting and then-president Kate Roffey was strident in her defence of him. Goodwin would also strongly deny rumours about illicit drugs. But it also quickly emerged that Roffey's predecessor Glen Bartlett, who left the club suddenly in April, 2021, was not going quietly. He would eventually sue club board members, alleging defamation, with the matter finally settled out of court in November last year. When that settlement was announced, the club again strongly refuted "serious allegations" about Goodwin and social drug use that had been investigated while Bartlett was president. On the field, Melbourne started their premiership defence well with a 10-game winning streak to open the 2022 season. But soon after that streak ended, it emerged teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham had a fight outside a Melbourne restaurant. Melbourne finished the regular season in second spot, but bowed out of the finals in straight sets. They would do the same in 2023 and have not looked like top-eight contenders since. At the end of the '22 season, grand-final hero Luke Jackson was traded to Fremantle and Brodie Grundy took his place as the back-up ruckman to captain Max Gawn. After just one season, Grundy went to Sydney. The '23 qualifying-final loss to Collingwood was the last game for Angus Brayshaw, one of the Demons' most important players, who ultimately had to retire because of concussion issues. Also in '23, star onballer Clayton Oliver was out for an extended period because of injury. As that season ended, it emerged Oliver had significant off-field issues - at one stage he was rushed to hospital because of a medical episode - and Melbourne considered trading him. Geelong courted Oliver again in the '24 off-season, but he stayed at Melbourne. Shortly after the '23 season ended, defender Joel Smith was banned after testing positive to cocaine. He was later accused of trafficking the drug. As rumours swirled in October '23, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert gave a radio interview where he declared their club culture was the best he'd seen in 40 years of football. The next big hit came in March last year, when federal MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to allege Melbourne had tested players "off the books" to avoid the league's anti-illicit drugs regime. On the field, as Melbourne's season spluttered, star onballer Christian Petracca suffered serious injuries in a collision during the blockbuster King's Birthday clash with Collingwood. The injuries were life-threatening and, as Petracca recovered, there was rampant speculation he could leave Melbourne. He stayed, but club president Kate Roffey went days after a train-wreck radio interview in September where she was asked about Petracca's future. Shortly after her departure, Pert also left. For much of this year, the Demons have had an interim president and CEO. At Tuesday's media conference, Goodwin referenced the need for stability. He also made mention the Demons still don't have one club headquarters - and that he will not miss the long drive to their training base at outer-suburban Casey. For all the glory of 2021, the aftermath at the Demons has been hell.
