Swans speak to Goodwin; De Koning opens up on his Saints move; Devils seek to field teams next year

Sydney have spoken with Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin about a role in their football department coaching alongside Dean Cox as the 48-year-old weighs up whether his next step is in football.

The Swans are keen on potentially adding Goodwin’s experience to their coaching panel as they look to rebound from a frustrating season that saw them miss finals after injuries to key players affected their start.

Sydney are one of a number of clubs who have reached out to Goodwin, who coached Melbourne to the 2021 premiership in a stint that stretched into a ninth season before he was sacked with three matches remaining this season.

Competition sources, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the Swans’ interest. They said they were aware Goodwin would need time to weigh up his next move, given less than a month has passed since the Melbourne board’s decision to end his tenure with a year remaining on his contract.

Goodwin has also spoken to the Giants about a possible role; however, his options aren’t expected to be limited to Sydney, where his wife Kristine Brooks works in finance. He is also open to exploring opportunities which might exist outside football.

The dual Adelaide premiership player and former Crows captain remained a respected leader at Melbourne, with several Demons players disappointed at last month’s decision to replace him with a new coach in 2026.

He received a payout for the final year of his contract and made a classy exit when he appeared at the media conference next to club president Brad Green announcing the club’s decision.

Sydney employed Don Pyke as an assistant coach after his stint as Crows coach ended, and they also have Ben Mathews, a former colleague of Goodwin’s at the Demons, on their coaching panel.

Pyke became Eagles CEO at the end of 2023 but there are a number of former senior coaches working as assistants, with Stuart Dew (Brisbane Lions), Brett Ratten (Hawthorn), Ben Rutten (Richmond) and Brendon Bolton (St Kilda) joining other clubs after their senior stints finished.

Goodwin was employed by Melbourne as the successor to Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos, who initially took the job with the intention to pave the way for someone to take over.

Heartfelt message from Silvagni as De Koning confirms his departure

Jon Pierik

Star ruckman Tom De Koning says deciding to leave Carlton for the riches on offer at St Kilda has been the toughest decision he has ever made, but it was the right call.

De Koning told the Blues at his exit meeting on Wednesday that he was leaving the club after eight seasons.

The confirmation came just days after this masthead revealed De Koning would leave the club as a restricted free agent, accepting the Saints’ eight year contract offer of $1.8 million per year for the first seven years, and more than a million dollars for the eighth year.

“To be really honest, this has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make, leaving a club I’ve loved being part of over the last eight years, with friendships I will take with me for the rest of my life,” De Koning said in a statement.

“In the end, I have made a decision that is best for me, but I just really want to take this opportunity to thank the entire Carlton community who has embraced me since I was drafted.”

De Koning’s awkward post-match speech to his teammates after last Thursday’s win over Essendon, when he celebrated his 100th game, all but confirmed he was leaving.

The Blues have the option of matching the Saints’ offer, but have already chosen not to.

Nick Austin, the Blues’ head of list management, said the club was disappointed to lose De Koning and would now weigh up its options.

“While we would have obviously loved to have retained Tom, the contract offer that we understand he has been presented with is not one we are prepared to match,” Austin said.

“Ultimately, the best interests of the football club come first and remains at the centre of every decision we make in regards to our list management.

“Tom and his management have been nothing but professional throughout this process, and while it is disappointing to see Tom depart, we will now look to maximise the flexibility that now exists within our playing list as we move into the off-season period.”

The Blues will almost certainly receive a first-round compensation pick for losing De Koning. As it stands, that would be pick No.9, but it’s likely to be pushed back in the draft to at least pick 11 after bids for academy or father-son selections.

Saints football department boss David Misson said the club was delighted with De Koning’s call.

“We’re very pleased that Tom has nominated St Kilda as the club where he wishes to continue his career,” he said.

“As Tom is a restricted free agent, Carlton will have the opportunity to match our offer once formally submitted. That is part of the process and something we are fully respectful of.

“With the official player movement period still several weeks away, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

While De Koning has nominated his new club, reborn defender Jack Silvagni has simply told the Blues he wants out. Silvagni is still weighing up offers from Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, while Essendon have also shown interest.

Silvagni, the third-generation Blue, is an unrestricted free agent, and is leaving after 10 seasons.

The son of Stephen and grandson of Sergio, who are both greats of the club, Silvagni has been offered four-year contracts from the Magpies and Bulldogs of more than $700,000 annually. The Blues had offered him a deal worth between $650,000 and $700,000.

The 28-year-old posted an emotional message to social media on Wednesday, thanking Carlton, his teammates, and the club’s fans for the experiences he shared with them. He also spoke about how tough it was for him to decide to leave, and said he will always be a Carlton fan.

“I’m incredibly proud to have played 100 games and forever have my name on the locker underneath my Nonno and Dad, especially when there were times it looked like I may not make it,” Silvagni wrote.

“To the boys, I’ll miss you. Thank you for accepting me and making work an amazing place to be.

“To the fans, thank you for your support. I sat over the other side of the fence as a supporter for 18 years. I understand the passion, pain and privilege that comes with being a Carlton fan. I feel it, just like you feel it. I always have.

“While I may no longer be playing, I will always consider myself a Carlton person and definitely a Carlton supporter.”

Tasmania Devils seeking to field teams next year

AAP

Tasmania are seeking to fast-track entry into Australia’s premier second-tier competition as part of their planned AFL debut in 2028.

The Devils’ bid to become the AFL’s 19th club remains contingent on a new 23,000-seat roofed stadium being built at Hobart’s Macquarie Point.

But the Devils are hopeful VFL and VFLW entry in 2026 will be another step in the right direction.

The AFL is reviewing the club’s application.

“Entry into the VFL and VFLW in 2026 is a priority for the club,” Devils chief executive Brendon Gale said.

“Not only will this be a significant step forward for our club with the introduction of football operations, but it will also be an important addition to the local football ecosystem and serve as a great carrot to attract some of our best and brightest football talent home.

“Despite not having final approval for our entry in 2026, we are building the operation on the basis that we will be playing due to the time frames we must meet.

“This means we are actively, and excitingly, engaging with athletes and off-field personnel to take on roles with the club.”

A Tasmanian team last played in the VFL in 2008.

It was initially expected the Devils would be eased into state-league competition by only playing against AFL reserves teams.

Full-time entry could mean the VFL would balloon to 23 teams after St Kilda and Sandringham ended their alignment.

This month, the Devils unveiled detailed images of a planned $115 million high-performance and administration centre at Kingston, south of Hobart.

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