But the under-fire coach couldn't help but be delighted with his charges' emphatic response to a week in the spotlight via an 83-point thrashing of struggling West Coast.
Six days after their horror final-quarter capitulation to St Kilda piled pressure on Goodwin, the Demons gave their coach "exactly the sort of response that you want".
Melbourne took the upper hand early before blasting away with a 10-goal third quarter to claim a 21.13 (139) to 8.8 (56) win at Marvel Stadium.
"I've said it all along, it's not about me," Goodwin said.
"It's about the footy team and the footy club and we think we've been building something throughout the year without outcome and sometimes that can be really tough for our supporters and it can be tough for people internally.
"But I'm really clear about what we're building and what we're trying to build and what we're trying to transition into and I can see it unfolding.
"But we need to learn how we turn the process into outcome and today was a part of that, but we've still got work to do."
Goodwin insisted he hadn't dwelled on his future during the week.
"Not at all. No, I'm the coach of the Melbourne footy club. I'm proud to be able to do that," he said.
"Clearly, I've got a clear plan. I'm well supported by the board in terms of where we're heading and what we're trying to achieve.
"And they also understand that sometimes when you're building something, that challenge will occur and what happens is you ride the challenge, you have clarity and you keep building."
After a threat was made towards Goodwin on social media last week, the Demons coach was accompanied by security throughout the game.
"The AFL are just taking all the precautions that they need and I think that's what we need in our game," Goodwin said.
"After last week, we put our hands in the AFL and just a little bit extra (security) this week.
"At the end of the day, I don't want to take away from the game of football.Â
"We've got passionate supporters. We've got passionate people that love our game. And sometimes people just go a little bit over the top.
"But we address it, we keep moving forward and we find the solutions needed. And the AFL have been fantastic this week."
Skipper Max Gawn (21 disposals, 29 hitouts, 14 contested possessions, eight marks) set the tone around the ball.
Vice-captain Jack Viney (25 disposals, 13 clearances, 20 contested possessions) played his 234th AFL game, surpassing father and club great Todd Viney, and was typically brutal in the midfield.
"They're warriors of the Melbourne footy club. They're proud leaders and they were outstanding," Goodwin said.
Bayley Fritsch kicked four goals while Harrison Petty (three), Harvey Langford (three), Jacob van Rooyen (two) and former Eagle Jai Culley (two) chipped in.
The loss confirmed the wooden spoon for West Coast, who have already indicated their plans to seek draft assistance from the AFL.
Ryan Maric (29 disposals) and Campbell Chesser were rare shining lights.
Melbourne led by 15 at quarter-time, then 22 at the main break but broke the game open in the third term.
With a 63-point buffer at three-quarter time, Melbourne kicked away in the last.
"Clearly at the moment the gap between our best and our worst is far too great. And we can't handle it," Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.
"We're not tough enough at all as a football club, as a football team at the moment."
Next Sunday, Melbourne play the finals-chasing Western Bulldogs at the MCG, while West Coast face high-flying Adelaide.
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