COACH Simon Goodwin says he was rapt to see LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts throw his support behind Jesse Hogan and Melbourne via a recent interview with ESPN Australia and New Zealand.

Roberts said in the interview that he backed Hogan to crack the ton this year and said “of course” he follows the “Melbourne Demons”.

“I want to see Jesse Hogan kick 100 goals this season,” he said.

“Jesse, you’re my man.”  

Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday, Goodwin said it was fantastic to see Roberts get right behind the red and blue.

“It’s unbelievable that the LA Dodgers and their manager is actually promoting the Melbourne footy club – I think it’s outstanding,” he said.

“I hope he’s right. I hope Jesse Hogan does kick 100 goals, but we’re big fans of the LA Dodgers and we love [pitcher] Clayton Kershaw.

“So, go Dodgers.”

Asked jokingly, if he was hoping to gain some tickets to watch the Dodgers, Goodwin said with a smile: “We’re trying to build a relationship.”

Reflecting on his side’s opening round loss to Geelong at the MCG last Sunday, Goodwin said he couldn’t have asked any more from ruckman Max Gawn.

Although the big man missed a set-shot for goal from roughly 20 metres out, with about 20 seconds remaining, his overall game was excellent, as he won 47 hit outs and had 20 touches.

Gawn also received nine votes in the AFLCA votes – the top result from that game – and Goodwin said the leader was “outstanding”.   

“He was brilliant in the ruck and the great thing about Max is that he wants the ball in the big moment – he got that,” he said.

“Unfortunately for Max, he wasn’t able to convert, but the team first action and the discipline [from Cam Pedersen] to actually put the ball where it went, and the mark from Max was the reason why we had the chance to win.”

Goodwin said Gawn was set for a genuine contest this Saturday night against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, when he takes on former Demon and now Lions star Stefan Martin.

“I think they’re pretty close mates and they’ve played on each other a few times,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be a fantastic duel – they’re both really quality ruckmen and they have big influences for their team, so it’ll go a big way to deciding the game.”

Goodwin said Hawthorn great and first-year Lion Luke Hodge remained another player the Demons had to watch this week.

“He helps set-up their defence behind the ball – there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“He’s a very influential player, so we expect him to be at his best.

“He seemed like he played a really solid game on the weekend, so there is no doubt he’s having an influence at the Brisbane Lions.”

Although Brisbane went down to St Kilda last weekend, Goodwin said he had seen genuine improvement in the Lions.

“I thought they were outstanding around the ball last week,” he said.

“They dominated clearance and they were good in contested ball.

“So, they’re a side that’s certainly on the improve – they challenged us late last year. We’re going up there knowing we’re in for a really tough task.”