Melbourne captain Max Gawn has opened up on coach Simon Goodwin’s abrupt sacking, admitting he ‘didn’t see it coming’.

And the champion ruckman has urged prospective candidates, including former coaches John Longmire, Adam Simpson and Nathan Buckley, should strongly consider taking the job.

Speaking in his regular segment on Triple M on Thursday morning, Gawn revealed hearing the news of Goodwin’s axing from Demons officials on Monday night caused him to miss the thrilling end to India’s Test match win over England at The Oval.

“The Test match was coming to a climax between England and India, and I get a phone call saying ‘can we come over’ [from] Alan Richardson and David Chippindall,” Gawn said.

“I go ‘yeah, sure’ and they knock on the door within a minute of that phone call – which is quite funny. I think they might have been out the front!

“While we’re going through the conversation, [Chris] Woakes is walking out with arm in a sling, and I’m missing history, behind actual history happening. I had one eye on the Test match, because that is a phenomenal Test match.

“They walked me through the process – they had just come from ‘Goody’s’ house – I appreciate the gesture that I was involved in some pretty early conversations.

“By Tuesday morning, it was all out there, so I had sort of 12 hours to work it out. I called ‘Goody’ in the morning before it all made its way to the press, and we had a good chat.”

Gawn admitted he was ‘shocked’ to hear the news of Goodwin’s axing, but said he would back the Dees’ call for change.

“I was shocked, as most people were. I didn’t really see it coming, and to be fair, that’s good managing in my eyes. If you did see it coming, that means things are leaking and the board are struggling to keep stuff in-house.

“I’ve had some great times with ‘Goody’. We’ve had nine years … him at the football club is me at my best.

“Definitely not angry. I’m a supporter of the team, I love the Melbourne Football Club. They’ve sacked people that I’ve loved before, and I’ve moved on and so have they.

“This one is obviously a harder one to take right at that present time, but I also have some great relationships with people that made the decision, and they’ve explained it carefully to me why.

“Like I said, I’m a lover of the club, so I’m just excited for what’s next.”

The 33-year old now wants his teammates, as well as Melbourne supporters, to ‘move on’ into a new era, saying he was surprised by his eagerness to attack the next stage of his career, beginning on Sunday afternoon against the Western Bulldogs

“It’s funny how quickly you turn in football, football doesn’t wait for anybody,” Gawn said.

“Goodwin’s sacked, I’m like ‘jeez, my life is over, what’s happened here?’ I’m down in the dumps Tuesday morning, then we train Tuesday arvo, then we train again Wednesday, and I come here today and I’m like ‘I can’t wait for Western Bulldogs, I can’t wait for what we do in the trade period, I’m really excited about what coach we get in.

“It’s funny how quickly you move on. That would be my advice to all the other players and supporters – it’s happened, and now let’s move on.”

Max Gawn. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Amid reports of player discontent with Goodwin’s departure, Gawn said he understood the Dees’ ‘ballsy’ move to sever ties with the 2021 premiership coach.

“I appreciate that after nine years, a new voice could help,” he said.

“I was pretty bullish about what we were building at the football club and the old voice was doing well for me, but we were also 6-13.

“Good clubs don’t wait … it’s quite ballsy from the club.”

Gawn is in no doubt that any prospective coach, with the Dees’ hit list including former Sydney and West Coast premiership coaches Longmire and Simpson, 2018 runner-up Buckley and outgoing Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, would do well to seriously consider joining Melbourne – though not without joking that he himself had thrown his hat into the ring.

“I’ve pitched player-coach – it didn’t go well,” Gawn laughed.

“I hope they do. There’s 18 jobs of AFL head coach in the country, and I’m presuming all coaches want to get to that pinnacle. I feel like it’s a call you should take.”

Voss to stay as Blues coach after board meeting

Michael Voss remains Carlton coach after a lengthy board meeting at Ikon Park where his job was on the agenda.

The Blues confirmed on Thursday after the club board met for a scheduled meeting on Wednesday that lasted almost five hours that the AFL legend would continue to coach the club into 2026, despite a poor season on-field.

“We were clear following Round 16 that we would utilise these remaining games to make calm, rational and fully informed decisions that will take our football club forward and that is what we will continue to do,” a statement from club president Rob Priestley reads.

“The first of these has been in relation to our Senior Coach, which we are now in a position to provide clarity on following last night’s scheduled Board meeting.

“Last night, Graham presented a recommendation to the Board of Directors that Michael remains as our Senior Coach into next season.  

“This recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the Board.

“For the last few months Graham and Michael have been meeting regularly, during which time they have been engaged in open and honest dialogue with one another on what is required for us to evolve as a football side.

“Michael’s ability to lead our football club this year in the face of incredible pressure has displayed the attributes of a strong and selfless leader.

“Carlton always comes first for our coach, and Graham and Michael share a clear and aligned view on the opportunities to improve football performance.   

“We want to make it absolutely clear that Michael Voss is the coach of the Carlton Football Club and he will remain the coach of the Carlton Football Club.” 

Voss left Carlton’s headquarters at 5.30pm, driving past a waiting media pack while the board continued talking inside.

When entering Ikon Park for the meeting, Carlton vice-president Patty Kinnersly gave a brief comment.

“Every day is important for a football coach,” she told the Seven Network when asked about Voss.

Legendary Carlton player Greg Williams, who is now the club’s football director, left the meeting alongside Kinnersly but declined to comment when approached.

Voss was already under immense pressure following a horror season that will see them miss finals for the first time since 2022.

But with the Demons to almost certainly sound out premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, it could prompt Carlton to act quicker than expected.

Priestley six weeks ago declared Voss would coach out the rest of this season, but would not guarantee he would see out the end of his contract in 2026.

After making a preliminary final in 2023, then an elimination final last year, Carlton had high hopes of ending a 30-year premiership drought.

Instead, their fortunes have crumbled and they sit 13th with a 7-13 record.

Third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni has met with Carlton’s two biggest rivals – Collingwood and Essendon – about a move in the off-season.

Star forward Charlie Curnow has toyed with the idea of playing elsewhere but his bumper contract until the end of 2029 would make it extremely difficult to leave.

Carlton host finals-bound Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, with Voss to give his weekly media conference on Friday.

(with AAP)

Michael Voss looks despondent during Carlton’s loss to North Melbourne. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Third club enters race for Silvagni

Carlton’s bid to hold onto father-son Jack Silvagni has grown even more difficult, with a third rival club entering the race for the in-demand defender’s signature.

Silvagni, who has played just 13 games in 2025 but shown promise in a new role in defence, was already being courted by Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, with the Pies reportedly offering a four-year deal – equal to the contract currently on the table at the Blues.

They have been joined by Essendon, according to 7 News Melbourne reporter Mitch Cleary, with the 27-year old meeting with Bombers coach Brad Scott in the last week.