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Demons to learn a lesson from Bugg AFL ban

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says suspended forward Tom Bugg has to earn back the trust of the team after his six-game suspension.

Simon Goodwin
Simon Goodwin says the suspended Thomas Bugg has to earn back the trust of the players. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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The buck stops with Bugg.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has called Tom Bugg's six-game AFL suspension an important lesson for the Demons.

Bugg's punch last Friday night that concussed Sydney opponent Callum Mills was the latest in a succession of ill-disciplined acts by the Demons this season.

Goodwin is adamant they are a disciplined team - noting they would not be improving otherwise.

But he conceded there have been some incidents that they must eradicate.

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Jordan Lewis and Jesse Hogan were suspended earlier this season after a spiteful game against Carlton.

Then Bugg went on Instagram to taunt Jason Johannisen last month before they played the Western Bulldogs.

Four players were also banned for a week ahead of the Sydney game because they had breached the club's alcohol policy following a VFL match.

"We're an incredibly disciplined side, the way our players go about their business off the field and on the field, it's been outstanding," Goodwin said.

"That's why we've seen the growth and development we've seen with our team so far this year.

"We've had some undisciplined acts that have cost the team and when you're pretty clear (about) what you want to build your footy club on, we've got to get those acts out of the footy club."

Goodwin did not mince his words when asked about Bugg.

"Tom has to earn a lot of trust back with the playing group and the coaches - he has some work to do," he said.

"We know what we want to stand for as a footy club and what's been displayed over a little period of time - certainly culminating on Friday - isn't what we want to stand for."

Goodwin said the club would support Bugg, who has been given time off to go away and work out a plan for what he does during the lengthy suspension.

The first-year senior coach was asked if Bugg's big ban was a wake-up call for his teammates.

"Three weeks ago through social media, everyone was saying it was great for the game," Goodwin said of the Johannisen taunt.

"Internally, we were concerned around the team-first elements within that, which culminated on Friday night.

"So it's a lesson for our playing group about what we want to stand for."


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