Simon Goodwin is rapt that when Melbourne AFL co-captain Nathan Jones needed telling off, the Demons’ coach was in a long queue.
What happened in Melbourne’s three-quarter time huddle was among many good signs on Saturday as they scored an upset 14-point win over Fremantle at the MCG.
After a nightmare season so far, last year’s preliminary finalists are determined to end this year well.
Goodwin noted it was healthy that so many of Jones’ teammates were ready to tick him off for what happened late in the third quarter.
Moments after Fremantle’s Michael Walters was reported for headbutting, Jones pushed him over.
That cost the Demons a 50m penalty, which ended up in a goal that gave the Dockers a five-point lead at the last break.
It might have been a crucial momentum shifter, but Max Gawn kicked the first goal of the last quarter and Melbourne overran the injury-depleted Dockers.
“I spoke to him at three-quarter time, as did about 20 of his teammates as well, which is a good sign,” Goodwin said of Jones.
“He knows that’s not how we play and the importance of those things in a game.
“He made a mistake, but what I did love about Nathan was his ability to respond in the last quarter – I thought he was really instrumental.
“It doesn’t matter who you are in your team; you need guys who keep each other accountable.”
Saturday’s win was the perfect start to the second half of the season after Melbourne reorganised their coaching staff in the mid-year bye.
Goodwin said they took last weekend’s break to look at everything.
“People say, ‘why don’t you just re-set for next year?,” Goodwin said.
“Well, there’s still lots to play for this year … you just can’t waste time to continue to get better.”
As Tom McDonald returned to form with three goals and Sam Frost impressed in defence, Gawn’s last-quarter goal also showed he was learning.
Gawn is notorious for missing set shots to the left so, this time, he had aimed well to the right.
Sure enough, it went through like an outswinger.
“Yeah, he clearly knows he misses left, so he’s just giving himself a little bit of room for error,” Goodwin said with a smirk.
“I’m sure he’ll remind us of that during the week.”