Luke Hodge makes staggering claim about Max Gawn after Simon Goodwin's sacking
But Goodwin's time at the Demons is officially over, after the coach was sacked after nine seasons on Tuesday. Discussing the situation on SEN radio, Hawthorn legend Hodge dropped a bombshell about what it could potentially mean for Gawn's future.
The skipper has played 244 games for the Dees since debuting in 2010, and never worn any other colours. But Hodge questioned what might occur should he not gel with the new coach.
'From the outside he will be a broken man because of the time and effort he has put into what has been created,' Hodge said. 'From afar their relationship looked a strong coach-captain relationship. There's going to be murmurs and tough conversations and his mindset now will be 'am I going to have a relationship with the next coach coming in, will I be able to lead as I am'?
'This is the hardest thing for an existing captain going from one coach to a new person that could turn the club upside down, and as a skipper you don't know where you stand. When did (Jack) Silvagni contemplate going to Collingwood? When the door was ajar and Collingwood said we might have a contract.
'Is this a door opening for Max Gawn? He would have had no thought of ever leaving Melbourne. They guided him as a young fella into this absolute star of our game. With a new coach coming in, is this his time to say, 'is there a premiership somewhere else for me to go and play?'. It won't be an easy decision for him, but he has to talk to the club who will want to keep him.'
The former Hawks captain said Gawn won't be the only Demons player affected. 'The new coach coming in might have other thoughts or want to develop a different system," he said. 'When you lose a coach, everyone on that list will be wondering what it means for them and their career moving forward? For younger players is an opportunity for the older players you wonder if you're in their plans.'
Garry Lyon's warning for next Melbourne Demons coach
John Longmire and Adam Simpson are being touted as the leading candidates to take over as Demons coach, with the former Swans and Eagles coaches boasting plenty of experience. Nathan Buckley and Ken Hinkley could also be options, while there's a plethora of good assistants floating around.
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Speaking on SEN on Wednesday morning, Demons great Garry Lyon offered a word of warning to Longmire and the likes. 'I would say if you are serious about wanting to get back into footy then there's great opportunity at the football club," he said.
'But I'd also be very strong in my questioning of the off-field stability of the club and where that sits. President-elect Steven Smith would be the first man I'd want to hear from, and Paul Guerra. It's hard to get a handle on him because he hasn't started yet.
'They're the issues that any incoming coach would want to have a look at and then you start to put your mind to the playing list and questions about facilities. All those sorts of things come in to it. There's opportunity there for any coach.'
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