MELBOURNE captain Max Gawn has thrown his support behind Simon Goodwin after allegations of workplace bullying by the premiership coach came to light.
The Demons' board considered sacking Goodwin before the 2021 season amid concerns over his alleged behaviour at the club, as well as his off-field activities.
News Corp reports this week claimed AFL boss Gillon McLachlan expressed concerns to the club's hierarchy over Goodwin's drinking and gambling with players.
But Gawn, who raised the premiership cup with Goodwin after Melbourne's drought-breaking Toyota AFL Grand Final win in September, said he had no issues with the coach's behaviour.
Fronting the media after training at Casey Fields on Wednesday, Gawn said he will continue to socialise with the 45-year-old mentor.
"I am going to continue to have a beer with my boss and my coach," Gawn told reporters.
GOODWIN BOMBSHELL Demons throw support behind coach, reject bullying claims
"What we learned over a couple of beers at the pub, our local at the time, maybe that is when we nutted out 2021 and we were able to go on to what we did.
"I am going to continue to do that in a professional sense and just 'chew the fat at one o'clock on a Saturday arvo' (sense)."
Former Melbourne club doctor Dr Zeeshan Arain was paid out to settle an unfair dismissal claim, lodged in October 2020, in which he accused Goodwin of workplace bullying.
A club review cleared Goodwin to continue coaching, while club president Kate Roffey on Tuesday supported Goodwin in rejecting the allegations.
Gawn said he had not seen any bullying by Goodwin, who the Therabody AFL All-Australian ruckman also declared is "a very close mate of mine".
He said the pair's relationship is built on mutual respect.
Gawn said the club culture will keep evolving as it looks to add to last year's success and is adamant the focus on Goodwin will not affect the club's preparation for the 2022 season.
"We're culturally shifting all the time," Gawn said.
"The Dees in 2021, if we're the same culture, we'll lose in 2022.
"We're always changing and adapting.
"We've got a job to do and it's all roads leading to round one."
Melbourne is scheduled to host the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in the season-opener on March 16.
