When Adam Goodes slotted a trio of goals in Sydney’s win over West Coast on Sunday, it reinforced my thoughts that, while all the talk about the Swans has centred around Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippett, the dual Brownlow medal winner will be crucial come September.
As Sydney – yes, that team humiliated by the Greater Western Sydney Giants in Round 1 back in March – climbed to the top of the AFL ladder, with their record-setting 11th consecutive win, it was Goodes who commanded most attention.
The success of Sydney has always been based on every one of their players playing their roles each weekend. If, as John Longmire (and Paul Roos before him) says, they all do that, then the team can and will be successful.
Goodes has now become the perfect role player. In the past he also played his role, but back then it was the starring role of the team. And although he would often make sacrifices to his own game for the benefit of the team, he was still an incredible standout.
The man who once played 204 consecutive matches has spluttered a little over the past few seasons as age has chased him down. But when it looked like the 34-year-old might be in trouble after suffering a knee injury in Round 13 last year, he has made it back.
Having slowly built up his fitness, he is starting to show he can now make an impact for the Swans as they chase their second flag in three seasons.
I’m sure there were times Goodes may have felt his career was finished. I remember one former Swan told me that age suddenly catches you. You can be feeling fine one week, thinking you are just a little slower than you used to be but still competitive, and then bang, you don’t see it coming, it knocks you down and your career is done.
As Goodes battled to make it back from his knee problems, naturally those thoughts would have entered the mind of one of the strongest-minded people I’ve ever spoken to.
But the Australian Of The Year made it back, and made it to match number 341 on Sunday, edging his way beyond Andrew McLeod to claim the record for most AFL games played by an Indigenous footballer.
And judging by what he has shown, he might not have the same to give as the old Adam Goodes, but he still has something to offer and it will be invaluable to the Swans.
He won’t dominate a game, he won’t explode out of stoppages or take a couple of bounces and run away from opponents. He may not ever collect another three votes in a single game from the umpires, but he will do exactly what coach Longmire wants. He’ll contribute and play his role, put pressure on and, as we saw on Sunday, he will kick goals and he’ll be significant in a completely different way.
Who knows what next year holds. I’d say he’ll listen intently to his body and then decide.
But right now, if he can continue to contribute and continue to benefit from having Franklin and Tippett in the forward line, then Adam Goodes could end up with another premiership medal to go with the pair he already owns.
Gazzaw
Guest
Goodes has a role as the third forward and the back up guy with experience. just enough in the tank to do some handy things but he is not the frontline player he was a couple of years ago. he is good enough against weaker teams but against good sides In finals he might be able to lift to do more but you couldn't expect/depend on it.
Frequent Flyer
Guest
Some points.... The Swans are very good at managing their group. After his knee went in 2012GF, it was clear they had to modify Goodes's role or let him burn out like J Brown. So they got Tippett and then Franklin. Let AGs skill and nous cover his age and knee. He is still an inspirational leader and that counts in the big games. On Sydney's success don't discount the "sydney" factor affect on players. In MEL and SYD to be simple there are 5,000,000 persons each. If each club has 50,000 passionate fans, and say another 50,000 followers. That is 100,000 in SYD but 1,000,000 in MEL. So when a player is not training or playing in Sydney he has only a 1 in 100 chance of meeting someone who will want his autograph, talk footy, tell him what he did wrong or he is great but.....Where in MEL there is a 1 in 5 percent chance they will be recognised. When you add in the AFL "almost a religion" factor in VIC then why do you think the tippets, franklins, lockets and even halls play better there away from the media microscope. Disagree, one word, Kennedy. Can to Hawthorn as junior champ, the son and grandson of legends, all eyes on him, and he failed. Moved to sydney and would not get a second look in crowd depute playing some of the best footy. Did Sydney steal him? Not he wanted to come as did Buddy. He approached Sydney end 2012 not 2013. Ask yourself why when he could have gone anywhere on serious bucks.... And the AFL has to set up the academy in NSW as there is already many in VIC in the private schools. In NSW the best private school play rugby and fed the Wallabies. As for COLA, it still costs more in every sense to live in Sydney. I lived there 10 years before moving back. Trust me.
Don Freo
Guest
Kepler Bradley can do all that!
Don Freo
Guest
I don't know why people want to retire champions. People at peak fitness don't fold in their early 30s.
Don Freo
Guest
Now there's a dilemma Olivia. You'd like Fyfe but your mate, Michael h doesn't see anything in him. One of you knows footy...
Don Freo
Guest
You've said that before, Bosk.
Neil Kemmis
Guest
Goodsey is a smart footballer! This year he picks and chooses his times to enter the match. He is managing his body and knowing his abilities as he ages. His read of the play is incredible and his ability to do some things makes me comment, almost every match, "That's why he has two Brownlow Medals!" He struggles with ground balls and seems a bit proppy at times but I love the way the young third defenders seem to know only the last 5 minutes of history and underrate him. He embarrasses them every week. Underestimate Adam Goodes at your peril for any years to come. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Could be right there Christo. How old are Richards and Grundy?
Gazzaw
Guest
Just another franchise for me i'm afraid i can't be bothered learning all their names but they played well two in particular were very good and the rest very well organised
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Not yet anyway... And I still think his long-term future lies in the backline. He seems much more comfortable there. Successor to Ted Richards perhaps?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Ah thanks Doc. Such is the defender's lot. As a longtime North supporter, I wish Barry had played all his senior footy at North. A true great, as is Goodes.
Michael huston
Guest
Don't know their names? By the end of this year (providing Parker makes the cut), they'll boast five All Australians. Start learning.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Mackenzie is the bloke you're thinking of.Franklin was as much the hugger as the huggee, but Goodes was there and thereabouts when it counted and I think he'll be around as long as the conjunction of desire and fitness continues.While Barry Cable didn't play his whole career in Victoria,his 402 games,including 18 State games still leads all comers at the highest levels.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Goodes has to be minded. He's easily a match for the third defender, whoever that unlucky sod is. Even with the WCE bloke hugging Franklin to death, it did them no good. Reid has to be minded as well and is quite the athlete but he doesn't have the smarts of Goodes.
Glen
Guest
If Reid replaced Tippet in that position do you think Goodes would have been noticed during the match? Goodes is good in spurts but his real glory days are now well behind him. Longmire needs to use the resources he's given and I can't think how he will be able to cope with the criticism he will get when he drops Goodes because drop him he will certainly have to do eventually. Longmire can't do it this year but he will be forced to next year.
Gazzaw
Guest
Goodes was not much of an influence against the eagles the ball was coming into the swans forward line so much it was inevitable that he would get a couple of easy possessions to kick his goals. One on one he struggled still a role player Franklin and tippet will take the best defenders but not an essential player. Those fast mid fielders they have don't know their names tore the eagles apart well organised and fast they were the reasons the Swans won.
Momentbymoment
Guest
An awesome player and a true champion. He helped win the 2012 flag on one leg and he will play a big part in the destiny of the swans this time around.
Michael huston
Guest
Big call Olivia. I'd have him second behind only Bobby. In my opinion, Skilton is the greatest player ever, though most seem to prefer the glamour players of Carey, Matthews, Ablett etc. But Goodes may just be the most versatile player in history. Few, if any, can say they've thrived in roles like a defender, to a ruckman, to a running wingman, to a rover, to a tall-marking half forward and a small forward role. Following his career has been enthralling because you never knew which Goodes you were going to get. If we win the flag this year, I think he should retire. As great as he's been at performing his team role, next year we could finally establish players like Membrey as the next generation filters through. Plus, Goodes deserves to go out on a high note.
Michael huston
Guest
Bosk who do you support?
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Let me guess Bosk .... The grapes were sour anyway? If it makes you feel better, we will get one of the best junior midfielders in the land at the 2015 draft - Josh Dunkley, son of Andrew, under the father-son rule and described as a faster Josh P Kennedy in size and skill. Too young to draft in 2014 but won the Division Two Championships medal this year at 16. It's OK ; we can wait. I suppose we cheated to get him too?