'I got shafted': Simon Goodwin speaks out after AFL grand final snub

Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin has spoken out after being denied the chance to speak during the post-match presentation following the AFL grand final.

Goodwin led the Demons to their first AFL flag in 57 years on Saturday night as his side blitzed the Western Bulldogs in a stunning second-half demolition.

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However fans were left with a sour taste in their mouths after the match when they realised Goodwin never got the chance to deliver his victory speech during the presentation.

Perth Lord Mayor and Channel 7 commentator Basil Zempilas, who was running the ceremony, invited Goodwin onto the stage to receive his premiership medal from West Coast premiership-winning coach John Worsfold.

The winning coach would usually then be invited to say a few words, however Zempilas continued on with the presentation in a brutal blunder that left AFL fans fuming.

“We now have great pleasure in inviting a legend of the Melbourne Football Club, Garry Lyon, to present the premiership cup to captain Max Gawn and coach Simon Goodwin,” Zempilas said.

Lyon handed over the cup and Gawn and Goodwin held it aloft as Demons players rushed onto the stage to celebrate, meaning Goodwin never got the chance to speak.

Addressing the gaffe on the Sunday Footy Show, Goodwin joked: “I got shafted, didn’t I?

“I didn’t know what happened there, I had it all ready to go, I had the cheat notes and a few sponsors to single out.

“I just would’ve said to the supporters and everyone at home, this is us, this is who we are, and they should be so proud.

“Hopefully all the supporters back home are enjoying it, I know they’re in lockdown but speaking to a few I know they’re sinking a few beers.”

AFL world up in arms over Simon Goodwin snub

AFL great Brendan Fevola led the outrage on social media, writing: “Why didn’t Goodwin give a speech? Basil cooked that."

Veteran AFL journalist Jon Ralph wrote for the Herald Sun: "How in God’s name did Simon Goodwin not get the chance to give his victory speech given those moments have given the game some of its greatest lines?

"Mistakes happen, but surely we have to be better than to cut off a speech 57 years in the making."

Unfortunately for Zempilas it wasn't the first time he came under fire during grand final week after he was savaged for a 'cringeworthy' idea in the lead-up to Saturday's decider.

Zempilas revealed on Friday that the 60,0000-strong crowd at Optus Stadium would be encouraged to show their support for others doing it tough around the country, with a minute's applause during the first quarter of the grand final.

Zempilas said the gesture is designed to show the rest of Australia that Perth and the state of WA are right behind them during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the seemingly never-ending state of lockdown many find themselves in.

However the idea received swift blowback from AFL commentators and fans, with many labelling it 'cringeworthy' and 'rubbish'.

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