MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has wasted no time contemplating who might have leaked historic accusations of bullying and improper behaviour directed against him.
The 45–year–old was last month the subject of numerous stories about his behaviour prior to 2021, leading to his position as Demons coach briefly coming under question.
Goodwin was cleared of all allegations, and they only emerged several months after Goodwin became Melbourne's first premiership coach since 1964.
He addressed the reports on Tuesday at a press conference for the first time, ahead of the Demons opening their season with a grand final rematch against the Western Bulldogs.
"I don't put any energy into that at all," Goodwin said when asked who might have leaked the information.
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"Where my energy sits is with our playing group, with our staff, our team and our football club.
"What I do know is we've got an incredibly united footy club from (president) Kate Roffey to (chief executive) Gary Pert to the whole way through.
"We made some significant change, we built some success and we've got a great program in place and I don't put any energy into that.
"The people around me know what I'm about, they know who I am and how I go about my business and the staff do as well.
"We've got a really strong environment, a caring environment and a really respectful one."
A club review at the end of the 2020 season cleared Goodwin to continue coaching.
After the reports emerged, Goodwin received strong public backing from Roffey, Pert and captain Max Gawn.
Pert even labelled the leaks "disgraceful".
The off–field disruption during the pre–season barely appears to have hampered the Demons' preparation for their premiership defence.
Melbourne will name 19 premiership players for their game against the Bulldogs, with the contest to take place in front of up to 80,000 people at the MCG on Wednesday night.
The Demons are early favourites to back up their drought–breaking flag success. –AAP
