A divide of sorts has opened up at Melbourne, with players backing sacked coach Simon Goodwin in the wake of president Brad Green’s declaration they needed “a new voice” to lead the team.

Goodwin was let go with a year to run on his contract and declined the opportunity to remain in charge for the rest of the season.

The surprise call just days after an 83-point win came following a five-week process, according to Green, whose club is now in prime position to target veteran coaches on the market.

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John Longmire and Adam Simpson are both available after their respective premiership-winning stints at Sydney and West Coast ended last year.

Ken Hinkley is in his final weeks in charge at Port Adelaide while Nathan Buckley, who took Collingwood to the 2018 grand final against the Eagles, has already said he would take a call from the Demons.

“I would have a chat but a lot would have to fall into place to leave this position of comfort I have found,” Buckley told SEN on Wednesday morning.

“It’s there (the desire to coach), otherwise it would be an easy no. I can’t lie — when yesterday happened I knew this would all come around again.

“Even in yourself this brings a timeline forward again, if you feel like there’s a case, if you like the people, if you see the opportunity to make a change and make a difference then you’re going to have to work that out quick smart.

“I expect the call will come.”

Whoever takes charge ahead of the 2026 season will be up against the Melbourne playing group’s strong feelings towards Goodwin.

Premiership-winning veteran Ed Langdon, playing his 200th AFL game this weekend, fronted a press conference 24 hours after Goodwin’s farewell and made it known they did not share the board’s view that the team needed “a new voice”.

He initially said “it’s really not for me to say” and said he loves and respect Goodwin.

Langdon went on to note interim coach Troy Chaplin is “pretty close with the players” then opened up more about his feelings towards Green’s statement.

“I’m not sure I would agree with that (that the team needs a new voice) but that’s the board’s decision,” he said.

“I can only comment on the players’ relationship with Goody, which was always positive.

“We always respected him and loved him as a coach so if that’s what the board thinks then that’s what the board thinks.”

Melbourne could face turnover within its playing ranks in the off-season, with speculation about Christian Petracca, Bayley Fritsch and Judd McVee still lingering.

But Langdon believes the Demons’ list is good enough to win a flag under their next coach.

“Not too long ago we were right at the top of the AFL,” he said.

“Our core group of players is still there and we’d love to be playing finals.

“We’re under no illusion that we need to start next season better than how we started this year and the next three weeks is a pretty good indication of how that will go.”

Goodwin was sacked despite Green in the final months of his presidency prior to Steven Smith’s elevation and David Chippindall filling in as interim CEO until Paul Guerra’s September start date.

“It’s exciting any time there’s change there’s obviously ups and downs, that’s par for the course, but I think it’s a really exciting time for the football club,” Langdon said.

“Getting some new key personnel in will certainly refresh the place and it’s going to be a good few years.”

Only last week, Goodwin felt he and the current Melbourne board were aligned.

“Obviously I got that wrong — but clearly the club are taking a different approach and I totally respect that decision,” the sacked coach said on Tuesday.

Multiple players shared Melbourne’s ‘Thanks Goody’ social post on Tuesday while Dees captain Max Gawn personally shared a photo from the 2021 grand final later in the day.

“Thanks coach,” he wrote.

Jake Melksham played under Goodwin at Essendon during the coach’s time as an assistant before linking up at Melbourne.

“Fifteen years as coach, mentor and friend,” Melksham wrote.

“We’ve been through the highs and lows together. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve achieved. Going to miss you.”