He went through a major battle with depression for three years, but he seems to have put it all behind him, after he earned a trip to the World Club Challenge with the Dragons, following his 2-try performance in the Dragons trial win.
It was a drunken night out in 2008 whilst playing for the Canberra Raiders, that resulted in his sacking from the club, and depression set in from then, and it was hard to overcome.
Devastated that he was sacked, he resorted to playing local footy in Orange, that helped him to take his mind off things, and to take a break from any dark thoughts that he may have had.
“It gave me a bit of a break but other than that I was pretty shithouse,” recalls the son of Dragons’ legend, ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin.
“It was just so tough, not just footy but life.
“After being sacked and being at rock bottom I was probably clinically depressed I just never went to see anyone about it.”
After being offered his first life-line with the Sharks, a cruel twist was imminent for Bronx as he was recovering, with injury rearing its ugly head, and thus, he did not play a game with the Sharks.
He was then offered another chance with the Dragons in late January of 2010, before a ruptured elbow put an end to any hope of playing in the trials, and ultimately, the season.
Whilst the personal demons with the depression were not solved overnight, it was the support of his wife and children, that have gotten Bronx to where he is, and their moving with him to Sydney helped solidify that.
“It’s real good news actually, I haven’t had much good news lately footy wise, so to have something like that let me know I’m in the team was sweet,” he said.
“It took me three years to get over it and I’ve gradually been getting better year after year.
“We come to now and I’m actually feeling happier in myself.
“It’s just unbelievable, I’ve got a whole lot ofweight off my shoulders.
“I couldn’t sit around and mope around and be in that hole, so I did it for my family. I had to do it for them.”
Goodwin also drew inspiration from the plight of his former Raiders team-mate Todd Carney, who also turned his life around, in light of constant alcohol issues.
Whilst Goodwin knows that a spot in the starting line-up may not happen, he would be a handy addition as a utility off the bench.
“I’m not too sure (where I’ll fit), maybe as an interchange player off the bench,” said the New Zealand Maori representative, who is fighting for a new contract beyond 2011.
“I’ve worked on playing a lot of positions not just fullback or wing … maybe at hooker and around the ruck area.
“Anywhere in the backs I can play and you’ve got to let them know that I can fill that spot if they need me.”