SIMON Goodwin has seen his fair share of ups and downs during three seasons in charge of Melbourne and the young coach has urged fans to remain patient as he tries to lead the Demons back up the ladder.

The Dees put in arguably their worst performance of the season when they fell to a disappointing 53-point loss to the Swans at the MCG on Friday night, and will now almost certainly finish the season in 17th place on the ladder.

It is a huge fall from grace following their preliminary final appearance against the Eagles last year and Goodwin knows everyone is hurting.

Friday night proved to be a disappointing MCG finale for four-time flag winner Jordan Lewis. 

"I can understand their (Melbourne fans) disappointment, I can understand their frustration and I think they deserve better," Goodwin said.

"Tonight was unacceptable and probably reflective of where we have been for the year in some ways.

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"But we are going to take responsibility...we are in a poor position right now as a footy club."

Goodwin said the only way the Demons can escape their current plight was through hard work and he remains adamant they have the playing group to turn their form around.

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"We are going to work really hard getting ourselves out of it," he said.

"The only way we are going to do that is together and we have got a lot of work to do.

"I have got full confidence in our players and our club that we are going to stick together and we are going to work our way through it.

"There is no question we are in a poor position right now and our supporters would feel that and they deserve better.

"We are going to make sure we are going to fight our way out of it and make them proud.”

Goodwin said the Demons' disappointing season had taken its toll on him but admitted it had also helped him find out more about himself and become a better coach.

"Without question it has been a challenging year," Goodwin said.

"At the same time, it has probably been one of my biggest learnings in coaching and it has reinforced the things we need to get right.

WATCH Simon Goodwin's full post-match media conference

"It is hurting me greatly because I know how much the Melbourne supporters want us to be great and my mission is to make our club as great as it can possibly be.”

Goodwin played down any thoughts of a serious injury to star ruckman Max Gawn after the big man left the field late in the Swans match and went to the rooms for observations.

The Demons coach said Gawn merely had a tight hamstring and with the game out of grasp there was no need to risk any further injury, but he is confident Gawn will be available to take on North Melbourne in Hobart next week.

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