“We’re culturally shifting all the time,” he said.

“The Dees in 2021, if we’re the same culture, we’ll lose in 2022. We’re always changing and adapting.”

Gawn, who said the coach was a close mate, said the players would prefer the discussion about the coach wasn’t happening, but it would have little impact on their preparation for the coming season.

“We have a job to do and all roads lead into round one against the Bulldogs on a Wednesday night,” Gawn said.

Although rocked that the revelations have entered the public domain the Demons are determined to extend the 45-year-old’s contract which expires at the end of 2022.

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They are in the final stages of negotiating the deal for Goodwin who has been at the club since 2015 when he began as the coach-in-waiting under Paul Roos.

The expected extension comes after a searching review led by the club CEO Gary Pert at the end of 2020 which saw the board endorse “many personnel and program changes across the football department including the coaching, high performance, and medical areas”.

Melbourne went on to win their first flag since 1964 after finishing on top of the ladder and winning their three finals by big margins including a 74-point demolition of the Western Bulldogs in the grand final at Optus Stadium.