Gawn backs under-fire Dees coach Goodwin

Melbourne captain Max Gawn has thrown his support behind Simon Goodwin after allegations of workplace bullying by the AFL premiership coach came to light.

The Demons' board reportedly 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.

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But Gawn, who raised the premiership cup with Goodwin after Melbourne's drought-breaking 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.

"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 Zasheen 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 released a statement supporting Goodwin in rejecting the allegations.

Gawn said he had not seen any bullying by Goodwin, who the All-Australian ruckman also declared is "a very close mate of mine", with their relationship built on mutual respect.

He said Demons' culture will