'Won't miss it': Demons remain without permanent home
As a shocked Simon Goodwin articulated his sacking as Melbourne coach, he delivered a cheeky parting shot that broke the ice of a serious press conference.
"Probably what I won't miss is driving down to Casey," Goodwin said when referencing the Demons' outer-suburban training facility.
But Melbourne's lack of a permanent, singular home is no laughing matter.
"Without a doubt it's a challenge," Goodwin said.
"(Ex-Demons player and current scout) Kelly O'Donnell is probably the longest serving person here and he's been waiting since 1979.
"Hopefully Caulfield will get up and running soon and everyone will be under one roof."
Melbourne's football and administrative operations are split like no other club in the AFL.
The Demons share their training between Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, about 53km from Melbourne's CBD, and Gosch's Paddock in the Olympic Park precinct.
Melbourne's administrative staff operate out of AAMI Park, and some still out of offices at their long-time home ground of the MCG nearby.
The Demons were based out of the Junction Oval in St Kilda from from 1986 until 2009, but moved because they were forced to train elsewhere in the off-season to accommodate cricket.
Melbourne want to build a new home at the Caulfield Racecourse, but that is not guaranteed to be approved, nor is there any timeline on when it may happen.
The Demons were able to end their 57-year premiership drought in 2021 when the whole competition was disrupted and unsettled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melbourne president Brad Green was adamant the club had given Goodwin the best chance to achieve sustained success.
"These last five or six years, Simon has been resilient through that period," Green said.
"He's a leader. He's a great coach.
"It's never easy when there's change. We don't shy away from that as a board."
Goodwin's successor will deal with the same challenges, like trying to recruit star players without a secure and comfortable headquarters.
Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who exited their respective clubs West Coast and Sydney last year following long stints, are certain to be on Melbourne's wish list.
Simpson and Longmire, former teammates at North Melbourne, will appear in their regular Wednesday night slot on Fox Footy's AFL 360 program.
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