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Melbourne’s Ed Langdon full of praise for coach Simon Goodwin after playing under Ross Lyon at Fremantle

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
Ed Langdon was quick to praise Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, giving former coach Ross Lyon a whack on the way.
Camera IconEd Langdon was quick to praise Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, giving former coach Ross Lyon a whack on the way. Credit: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Former Fremantle midfielder Ed Langdon has given Carlton plenty to think about after revealing he didn’t enjoy playing under Ross Lyon.

Langdon helped his new club Melbourne secure a preliminary final berth in the win over Brisbane on Saturday night.

Speaking to AFL Nation after the victory, Langdon revealed it had been a “nice change” to play under Demons coach Simon Goodwin.

“I’ve come from five years of the Ross Lyon method so it’s absolutely a nice change to have someone as cool, calm and collected as Simon Goodwin,” Langdon said.

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“I don’t think I’ve heard him raise his voice once when he’s been at the club.

Ed Langdon (right) has settled in to life in Melbourne.
Camera IconEd Langdon (right) has settled in to life in Melbourne. Credit: Darrian Traynor/via AFL Photos
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“Coming over from Freo when you don’t look Ross in the eye in a meeting and he starts yelling at you, it’s been a nice change.

“Goody (Goodwin) really backs me to play my role.

“That was a big reason why I came to the club.”

Langdon departed the Dockers after 68 games at the end of 2019; the same year Lyon was sacked with one round to go.

Lyon remains one of the frontrunners to take on the Carlton head coaching role after the Blues sacked David Teague this week.

But there’s been plenty of speculation the Blues board are divided over whether Lyon is the right fit.

Ed Langdon played more than 60 games for the Dockers before he departed for Melbourne.
Camera IconEd Langdon played more than 60 games for the Dockers before he departed for Melbourne. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Media

Former Saints player Nick Dal Santo, who played five seasons under Lyon at St Kilda, said he was “surprised” to hear Langdon’s concerns.

“I think there’s a little bit of a perception he’s this heavy handed (coach)… he’s not that. He’s as supportive as a coach. He changed us and I’ll be forever grateful,” Dal Santo said.

“I don’t understand the context (of Langdon’s claims after) a brilliant performance tonight.

“I’m a little bit surprised that Ed Langdon felt that way. That was never my experience or rarely my experience with Ross.

“I think it’s fair to say Ed Langdon won’t get a trade to Carlton.”

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