2021 REIV AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION AWARDS NIGHT
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 21st September 2021
IT’S A GOOD WIN: MELBOURNE COACH CROWNED THE 2021 COACHES COACH
Melbourne Demons coach SIMON GOODWIN has been crowned as the Monjon Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year for the first time at the 2021 REIV AFL Coaches Association Awards held online on Tuesday night.
Goodwin was voted by his peers as the AFL Coaches Association Senior Coach of the Year with 258 votes, ahead of fellow Grand Final coach Luke Beveridge (193 votes), and GIANTS Coach Leon Cameron (84 votes), after leading the Demons rise up the ladder in 2021, where they secured the minor premiership and now play in their first Grand Final in 21 years.
With fluctuating results over recent seasons, there was some external speculation around Goodwin’s future leading into 2021, however Goodwin’s calm external nature, strong connection with his players, steadfast belief in his vision and playing group and an empowering leadership style, saw the Club back him in and are now just one win away from their first Premiership in 57 years.
Goodwin has an undoubted talent for coaching, an ability to relate to all on many levels and is always looking for ways to improve himself and those around him to achieve consistent high-performance output.
In a season that again challenged the industry, Goodwin was deemed to be the best performed senior coach, up to and including the preliminary finals, taking into consideration the current season's performance, available resources, player talent and team management.
With coaches all over the country unable to travel, the award which was voted on by more than 120 of his peers and named in honour of coaching legend Allan Jeans was accepted by Goodwin via zoom.
“I’m very humbled to be voted the AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year by my peers.” Goodwin said.
“Although it’s an individual accolade, ultimately it reflects the efforts of our entire footy club.
“It’s an acknowledgment of the hard work and character of our entire football department and playing list.
“It is the sum of all parts that come together to create a strong football club and I certainly wouldn’t be receiving this award without the support and assistance of everyone who plays a role at the Melbourne Football Club.”
AFL Coaches Association CEO Alistair Nicholson commended Goodwin for his resolve and strength under pressure, and his ability to turn the tide after two years without a Finals appearance.
“What an incredible season Simon has had. He is not one for personal accolades but should be proud to be recognised as the AFL Coaches Association Senior Coach of the Year. This is terrific recognition after the last few seasons. Simon held his head high, worked hard, remained focused and has landed Melbourne in the Grand Final,” Nicholson said.
“This Award has been determined by more than 120 AFL coaches this year and we know it is held in high esteem. Congratulations Goody, what an honour to be recognised by your peers in this way, and well done to the assistant and development coaches and those around and above him at Melbourne.”
The 2021 AFL Coaches Association Awards announced throughout the night, included the Neale Daniher Lifetime Achievement Award, AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year, Career and Education Award and Media Award.
Neale Daniher revealed the winner of the award named after him, the 2021 Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award was “the heart and soul of the West Coast Eagles” stalwart, IAN MILLER. See below for background on Ian Miller.
Mick Malthouse, Adam Simpson, Shannon Hurn and Trevor Nisbett spoke to Miller’s caring nature and incredible impact at the West Coast Eagles over a long period on the lives of many players, families and staff. It was then over to former West Coast Eagles coach, captain and premiership player, John Worsfold for an interview with Miller reminiscing and paying tribute to ‘Serge’, as he is affectionately known.
The AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year Award went to LUKE POWER for his work at Carlton in the 2021 season.
Power, who started the season as Blues’ Head of Development, stepped up to Carlton's coaching panel from June as stoppages coach.
Prior to landing at Carlton in 2019 as a Development Coach, Power had three years as AFL Academy Coach and previous to that he spent five years at the GIANTS in a coaching capacity.
Melbourne’s Troy Chaplin finished in second place, with Sydney’s Don Pyke third.
Recently departed West Coast Eagles assistant coach JAYMIE GRAHAM was awarded the 2021 AFL Coaches Association Career and Education Award, being recognised for furthering his coaching credentials through study and career development.
Graham, is in the final stretch of his teaching degree, which he has been completing whilst coaching over the last 10 years. He is committed and invested in pursuing study as a way of continuing his development as a coach and during this off season will complete his teaching practicum.
For an eighth straight year, GERARD WHATELEY was the coaches pick for the 2021 AFL Coaches Association Media Award for his work on Fox Footy’s AFL360 and SEN 1116 in 2021.
2021 MONJON ALLAN JEANS SENIOR COACH OF THE YEAR
1. SIMON GOODWIN – MELBOURNE DEMONS – 258 Votes
2. LUKE BEVERIDGE – WESTERN BULLDOGS
– 193 Votes
3. LEON CAMERON – GWS GIANTS – 84 Votes
2021 AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
1. LUKE POWER – CARLTON BLUES
2. TROY CHAPLIN – MELBOURNE DEMONS
3. DON PYKE – SYDNEY SWANS
List of past winners and background to the AFLCA Awards
BACKGROUND ON IAN MILLER – 2021 NEALE DANIHER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
West Coast Eagles stalwart Ian Miller was an outstanding player whose career was completed well before the advent of the Eagles, but his association with the Club began in 1990 as part of Mick Malthouse’s match committee and has continued since.
He played 276 games with Perth, Fitzroy and East Perth – winning WA football’s highest individual awards (Sandover Medal 1972, Simpson Medal 1978 grand final), but he also coached Perth for three seasons.
Universally known as “Serge”, he spent 10 years on the West Coast Eagles' match committee where he was a strong influence over the Club winning Premierships in 1992 and 1994.
Miller, an outstanding character and respected figure, returned to the Club in 2002 and he has been active as the player services coordinator for the last 18 years. He has been an important asset for the Club’s players in that time where he has been like a surrogate father, particularly for interstate and country recruits.
He was made a life member of the Eagles in 2012 and was honoured with AFL life membership, recognition of a life-time of dedication and high achievement in the game.
PLAYER
1967-1973 Perth Football Club
132 games (Runner-up Fairest and Best 1971)
1968 Premiership Player with Perth (defeated East Perth)
1969, 1971, 1972, 1973 Selected in the WA State Team
1972 Selected in the All-Australian team
1972 Won the Sandover Medal
1974-1977 Fitzroy Football Club 80 games (Runner-up Fairest and Best 1976)
1978-1980 East Perth – 64 games (Runner-up East Perth Fairest and Best 1979)
1978 – Premiership Player with East Perth (defeated Perth), Simpson Medallist - Best on Ground
COACH
1982-1984 Perth Football Club – Senior Coach
ADMINISTRATION
1990-1999 Member of West Coast Eagles Match Committee (Chairman 1993-1998)
2002- Current West Coast Eagles Player Welfare Officer
AWARDS
1999 Perth Football Club Team of the Century
2008 Inducted into the WA Football Hall of Fame
2012 West Coast Eagles Life Member
2020 AFL Life Member
2021 Neale Daniher AFL Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award
