Sydney star Adam Goodes says unlike his teammates, he’s not keen on the AFL’s rough and tough side.
Questioned by New Zealand media in Wellington on his attributes as a player, the dual Brownlow Medallist compared the Swans to NZ’s national rugby union team the All Blacks, but said he was the exception.
“If people are coming to watch the Swannies play for the first time and you’ve never seen us or you didn’t see our grand final last year, we like to play our game like the All Blacks,” Goodes told reporters at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.
“Hard and tough and we play for the full 90 minutes, (but) in our game it’s 120 minutes.
“We don’t let up and it’s all about the tackles and the one-on-one contests.
“For myself, I’m not too big on laying tackles and what-not.
“I’m the sort of player that likes to get the ball on the outside and just run and use my athleticism, whether it’s to take the marks or whether it’s at ground level.”
Goodes said if any of the All Blacks made the switch to AFL, he’d be worried.
“I don’t want any of those blokes coming to tackle us, I can tell you that right now,” he said.
“It’s one thing that quite scares me, to be honest.”
He told the NZ media the beauty of Australian Rules football was that whether players were tall, short, broad or skinny they could make an impact.
The Swans play St Kilda in Wellington on Thursday night.
Phelpsy
Guest
It's good to see the afl trying to take the game to new markets ... I don't think they'll ever ever replace union ... Who does, but a niche market in 50 years time ??? They did it in Sydney and who would have thought that?
Micky Mc
Guest
Adam Goodes should be careful to be accurate in Rugby-mad NZ: Rugby matches go for 80 minutes, not 90. Otherwise, the thought that Aussies Rules can have a significant impact in NZ is as delusional as thinking GWS (before it finally ends up in Canberra) is going to dominate 'The West' of Sydney. There were others there long before AFL, and will be there long after.
Councillor
Guest
Moonshine, I thought saying the Swans play like the All Blacks would be a comparison?...
TW
Guest
As of yesterday 20,000 tickets sold and the AFL hoping for about 25,000. Noticed in the video below from the ABC a mention that AFLNZ and AFL Hawthorn (Sponsors) are stepping up its Kiwikick program this year. It has gone from 2,000 kids in 2009 to 40,000 this year. Kiwikick is a 6wk program which exposes the 5-12 group to the game. Not all of them go on to play in comps but some do take up the sport. So the more you put through the more will play later on. Another big expansion over there from a zero base are the AFLNZ casual employees (Not volunteers) who run the grassroots comps in schools etc. Their number has grown to 80 this year apparently, and they would be spread around the now 5 provinces the game has a presence in. The iconic goal posts at the Westpac Stadium will be kept at the ground in future for upcoming matches at this venue in future years. The ground keeper is a guy from Victoria and he is wrapped in the game being held tomorrow. Link to video http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3743844.htm Here is another video from NZ. The comments are a bit over the top about International footy at this stage of its development but there will be more international fixtures for points it is mooted apart from NZ. http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8648043
Wii
Guest
It should be a good crowd and I am impressed. My original comment has been moderated which is ludicrous considering some of the rubbish you see posted on these pages by the same few posters repeatedly. I'm a rugby man through and through and I am looking forward to this match
Moonshine
Guest
5k max travellers - 5K expats 10K locals - must be hard being so incredibly negative all the time....you must lead a sad life/
rough conduct
Guest
20K travelling Victorians? Embarrassing indeed.
Moonshine
Guest
In the article he doesnt compare the Swans to the ABs.. 20K may disagree with you
rough conduct
Guest
He is talking up diversity of body types to the rugby loving NZ public? huh? comparing themselves to the ABs? What an embarrassment this whole thing is.
Moonshine
Guest
More Sydney Morning Herald anti- AFL antics The Age writer Peter O'Hanlon writes about the Swans game in windy Wellington headlined in the Age as "Answer is blowing in the wind" In the SMH this headline becomes "Trouble in the wind as historic game nears" This double entendre has a different meaning given the amount of AFL drug press in the SMH recently.
Franko
Guest
I thought he could see the Swans in West Sydney Wanderers. It's called brand association, and Goodes is doing it well.