Simon Goodwin and partner share massive personal news amid dramas at Melbourne Demons

Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin has shared some happy personal news amid the dramas engulfing the AFL club, revealing he and partner Kristine Brooks are engaged. Goodwin and Brooks took to social media over Christmas to announce the news, with Brooks writing: “The best present I could have wished for. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with you forever."

The Demons also shared the post to congratulate the happy couple. Goodwin and Brooks have been together since 2021, after the Demons coach split with ex-wife Maggie in 2020. Goodwin has three teenage children with with his ex, who was his high-school sweetheart.

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The happy news comes as a welcome development for Demons fans amid a tumultuous time for the club. They suffered a second-consecutive straight-sets exit from the finals this season and have been dealing with off-field issues surrounding Clayton Oliver.

Oliver is taking an indefinite break from footy as he battles ongoing 'medical issues'. The midfielder was in attendance for the first day of the Demons' training camp at Lorne last week, but left two days early after discussions with the club's football hierarchy.

"Clayton is taking a break as he continues to deal with some personal medical issues," Melbourne football manager Alan Richardson said in a statement. "We are continuing to support Clayton and managing his program in a way that prioritises his health and wellbeing. His teammates and staff remain confident he is making good progress."

Oliver has battled injury and medical issues over the last few months, and has faced questions over his off-field behaviour and commitment. The 26-year-old will face court in January after he was recently charged with driving with a suspended licence.

Oliver has been unable to drive on medical grounds after he was hospitalised following a seizure on October 12. He partially attributed the seizure to side effects of his ADHD medication.

The on-baller was the subject of intense trade speculation in October. Although the Demons eventually opted to keep him, Goodwin and CEO Gary Pert made it abundantly clear that he needed to lift his standards.

Simon Goodwin's message to Demons fans amid turmoil

After winning the premiership in 2021, Melbourne have lost four finals games in a row. They bowed out this year after going down to Collingwood (the eventual premiers) and Carlton by a combined total of nine points - despite having more scoring shots in both finals games.

In a message delivered to fans earlier this month, Goodwin said his team must do better when it counts. "We just didn't win the moments that mattered in the finals - they are the facts," he said.

"We weren't able to execute in front of goal, we didn't maximise our entry and that's the first thing we looked at when we came back in (for pre-season. One goal a game takes us from sixth to first (among) the best offensive teams."

The coach said Melbourne's finals failures have left them clues for future success. "We're not going to live under a rock. We're going to look for the opportunities, we're going to look for the growth," Goodwin said. "We're going to drive winning behaviours and ultimately, hopefully, by the end of (next season) ... you'll be pretty happy."

with AAP

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