Max Gawn defends Simon Goodwin, reveals Melbourne coach's cryptic comment was about family health issue

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has downplayed any suggestion of a rift between he and Demons coach Simon Goodwin after Goodwin revealed the star ruckman has been dealing with a personal issue.

Goodwin's cryptic answer came after Gawn was thoroughly outplayed by Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri in Melbourne's 59-point loss on Sunday.

The Melbourne coach was criticised in some parts for making Gawn's personal issues somewhat public, but Gawn leapt to the defence of Goodwin, revealing that a family member has been dealing with an "illness" over the last two years. He said the situation had escalated over the last three to four weeks, but said the relative is currently in a "steady state".

"I loved that my coach loves me and it clearly shows that he cares," he told Triple M's Mick in the Morning on Tuesday.

Melbourne coach's cryptic Max Gawn answer raises eyebrows Photo shows Max Gawn stands with his hands on his hips Simon Goodwin suggested Max Gawn is dealing with off-field issues after a sub-par performance from the Melbourne captain in his side's disappointing loss to the Kangaroos on Sunday.

"He is 100 per cent right, there is reasons behind performance issues for some players, that wasn't me on the weekend, I got myself to a really good point to be able to play, I just got beaten.

"I won't hide behind that, but I understand what my coach was doing. He is a father figure for me, he was showing love, he was showing care and I appreciate that."

Gawn said there was "no issue" between he and his coach, but said the pair had spoken about the press conference extensively on Monday.

"I can clearly see what he was trying to do, he was trying to show me love, support and care, and I don't mind. I spoke to that family member yesterday, they don't mind, so it's fine," he said.

"I think if we all went back to the start of the press conference we'd potentially just say I got smashed by Xerri, but I also don't mind how it's played out.

"I will clearly stand aside from football if I was struggling, but I've got some great people at both the club and at home that keep me in a good place."

Despite the family member's health battle being made public this weekend, Gawn said those close to him at the Demons have been aware of the situation for some time.

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"I haven't hid behind it," he said.

"Yeah, I haven't walked into Triple M morning radio and gone, 'I have an illness in the family', but I also am free to talk about it throughout the club.

"That's what is important and probably has put me in a good spot throughout this whole time, that I've been in open dialogue with those close to me within the four walls of the football club."

Gawn will be in action on Saturday when the 0-2 Demons aim to record their first win of the season as they host the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG in a pivotal early-season clash.

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