Only seven men have played more AFL games and just four have won more Brownlow medals.
Throw in two premierships, three club best and fairest, four All-Australian jumpers, three times his club’s leading goal kicker, a Rising Star award, and selection in the Indigenous Team of the Century, and you have a career that is right up there with the very best in the history of the AFL.
And yet Adam Goodes, the man who compiled this CV over a 17-year career with the Sydney Swans, will not be driven around the MCG on Saturday week as one of the main precursors to the grand final.
The motorcade on grand final day recognises players who have compiled significant playing records and have announced their retirement since last year’s season finale.
This year the likes of 400-gamer Dustin Fletcher, 300-gamer Kane Cornes, triple premiership star Paul Chapman and Chris Judd – like Goodes, a dual Brownlow medallist – will receive the plaudits of a 100,000-strong crowd.
It will be a fitting farewell for all those who have earned the right to be saluted on the biggest stage the sport has.
Sadly, Goodes will not be among them. And that is a great shame.
In fact, it is a blight on the game.
Hundreds of minutes of analysis and talkback in the electronic media and myriad column centimetres in the press have been dedicated to the Goodes saga this year.
The reasons given by fans for booing Goodes have been varied – he is a dirty player, he is a sook, he should not have called out a young girl you directed a racial slur at him, his indigenous war dance towards opposing fans was inflammatory, and I simply do not like him.
Those who believed Goodes was being unfairly targeted put forward their own theory – racism.
Sadly, despite repeated pleas for a cessation of ‘hostilities’ from AFL and club administrators, coaches and players, Goodes remained a constant target of crowd booing, and at times, racist taunts.
Even after he took time away from the game as a result of the impact the affair was having on him he was still targeted.
Essendon great Tim Watson has gone on record as saying that he believed Goodes would be booed should he be driven around the MCG. Goodes clearly holds that belief as well.
Players who are heroes when at their club of origin are often booed when they return to their former home bedecked in another team’s colours. Often such acts are more pantomime than vitriol.
Once they have retired the fact they swapped clubs mid-career is largely forgotten. They certainly do not get booed by fans when they perform a celebratory lap on grand final day.
And then there are the umpires.
Of all those who take to the field on match days few are targeted more than the umps. They are jeered and booed and have all manner of invective directed at them.
Yet when they are honoured on grand final day the mouths are mute but the hands are clapping.
Last season 341-game veteran Stuart Wenn was accorded a place in the grand final day motorcade, as have numerous umpires in recent times who have drawn the curtain on careers of great longevity.
The hoots and jeers that rung in Wenn’s ears when he ran around the ‘G in his umpiring days were nowhere to be heard on his lap of honour.
Yet had Adam Goodes chosen to accept the AFL’s honour of a grand send-off there would no doubt be those in the crowd who would find it appropriate to boo him.
On the eve of the Round 18 Sydney versus Adelaide game, which Goodes opted not to play, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon labelled anyone who would continue to boo the dual-Brownlow medallist upon his return “a racist and a bigot”.
Six weeks later, when Goodes was due to line up in the qualifying final against the Dockers at Subiaco Oval, Lyon repeated his stance. Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich appeared in a pre-recorded piece on the big screens at the ground in which he talked about fan behaviour ahead of the match.
And as soon as Goodes went near the ball he was booed, just as he had by fans of other clubs.
In his 372nd, and as it turned out final, game against North Melbourne last weekend he was again booed. While teammate Rhyce Shaw was chaired off the ground having previously announced his retirement, Goodes merely slipped down the players’ race.
A short time afterwards he addressed his teammates and announced his retirement – no fuss, no fanfare. Sadly, there will also be no fanfare on grand final day.
It is one of the more unfortunate events to have beset the league in recent years.
Hopefully those who persisted in their attack on Goodes will reflect on their actions and we shall never see such a character assassination occur in the future. But then again…
EddyJ
Guest
This conversation will never end. It's a polarised debate - you've got your opinions but as has been proven on so many occasions, what you are saying in not correct. 'Keeping a close eye on his play'? 'Stages’? 'Histrionics’? 'Divisive comments'? 'Alienating people'? As has been said so many times, this is White Australia policy type of thinking. Adam Goodes is just not your type of Aboriginal, you know, the one that just does what he's told and shuts up, and just does the magical thing with the ball. You don't have the courage to say this, which would more honest of you. Support the booing of Adam Goodes? Well, then you support the idiot that beat the woman at Subiaco Oval on Friday night, you support that idiot that raised his clenched fist as if to hit Issac Smith, you support that idiot leaning over the fence to abuse Luke Bruest after he was thrown against the fence. Because these the sort of fools that do that type of thing. Sure, there's some right to behave like a f-wit in public, but that's just really an embarrassment to the game. Players on the opposition team are not evil demonic animals that can be poked at and prodded. Soon, some fool will run onto the field and attack a player.
Julie
Guest
I agree with a number of things that Johnno says. I , for one, really enjoy watching the Aboriginal players. I notice that not one of them are booed ever time they go near the ball. They have the great ability of speed, agility and strength without too much weight that makes them exciting players to watch. Since this incident concerning Goodes when a girl was thrown out of a stadium for calling him am ape, I have been keeping a close eye on his play. I can see some of the things that make him unpopular such as expecting every decision with the umpires to go his way and the histrionics that go with it if he doesn't get it.Many time he stages for undeserved frees.When he doesn't get the ball he often falls to the ground and starts kicking opposition players in the shins with his boots. He even did it on his last game. After receiving the award Australian of the year, he has spent much time making divisive comments about Australia. Three is no doubt that the two times Brownlow Medalist couldn't just stick to footy on the field rather than alienating people and it is a shame that such a talented player has ended his career like this.
Nick
Guest
Goodes should just go out there and attend the procession. I am pretty confident that the majority of the crowd would be clapping and cheering and those that tend to boo would be drowned out or too scared to when they are obviously the minority. Instead of meekly choosing the soft way out he should confront those ignorant supporters head on.
aaron roberts
Guest
As a fan of the game, I need to say, as a west coast supporter credit is owed to your rivals great players. Our greatest rival of recent times are the Sydney swans, with their greatest player in the modern game being Adam Goodes. I feel disrespect when I hear people bad mouthing a legend, when I have nothing but the utmost. The greater AFL community will miss out on sending Goodsy off with a fitting tribute all becease of the handful of wankers no one wants to know, but everyone has to hear. All the best Adam and thank you for the dedication.
Johnno
Guest
Eddy J Seriously rascism in US is no more rasict than in OZ. Settle down with some of your nonsense spin. I mean please a civil war, get over it. Blacks in US still have employment and college disadvadvantes in US, all the stats say so. Plus some of those police shootings, caused some trouble, but a full on civil rights march with millions of people over something of the levels of Adam Goodes stuff please, get real. And with Adam Goddes stuff, so many aussies don't even agree with his points of views mainstream aussies, some of you don't realise that who are on Goodes side, but some of you do which is a relief.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well put Eddy. Anyone who imagines that sport is somehow disengaged from culture, society, & therefore, politics, must be living on another planet. Or else, just plain stupid. Adam Goodes had the the audacity to point out a racist slur from the crowd, & has been vilified by certain quarters ever since. It's that simple.
Don
Guest
Readers, I draw your attention to the following headlines, published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27th July....."Sydney Swans chairman lashes those who boo Adam Goodes: 'You are racist'." Now I draw your attention to the final game for Sydney against North Melbourne, during which, there was much booing from the Sydney crowd. I have yet to see a statement from the Sydney Swans Chairman condemning those supporters! just saying......
Ghost
Guest
So if I call McVeigh a white dog. It should be accepted?
EddyJ
Guest
Of course politics and sport mix, it would be naive to think otherwise. Olympic Games, AFL, Rugby League, Soccer... politics is involved in every single one. Is the Pride round, Cancer round, Women's round, not about politics? Should be actively encouraged. The classic racist d-heads are on the right, and they'll claim that there isn't a racist bone in their body (yes, they are the ones with an IQ level of about 2). And then there's everyone else, the more reasonable and moderate part of the community. The twain will never meet. The racist tools that have spoiled every game that I've been to this year will never change my strong belief that the continuous booing of Goodes has got everything to do with racism (you, the old stupid arguments that it's about 'the 12-year-old girl', it's about 'freedom of speech', it's because 'Goodes is a dirty player', it's because 'Goodes is a good player, or because he's on the opposition team, etc, etc, etc., or 'it's not a Rosa Parkes moment'.) Racism, specifically targeting Aboriginal people, is alive and well in our country, and we've got a long long long way to go. If this had occurred in America, there would have been a civil war. The upshot is, and it would be more honest if these racist tools would say this, that Goodes speaking out is not the sort of Aboriginal person that they want, just the ones that do miraculous things on the football field, and shut up and do what their told.
Mattb
Guest
Glen, is it because you are a passionate one eyed west coast fan and an equally passionate of everything Freo, that you highlighted a Freo game where the club made a stand but a few relics were feral, rather than the West Coast game with 40,000 howlers that actually srlent Goodes over the edge. Brilliant career Goodsey you champ.
SVB
Guest
If you look properly at the posts you'll see I've added plenty to the discussion. Stop being so sensitive.
Dean
Guest
Johnno, I couldn't agree with you anymore In what you're saying here, but I also think that it is very unfortunate that things turned out the way they have for Goodesy and the AFL fans. I don't know if it was him that took things too far, or if it was the fans, or maybe it was somewhere in between, but regardless, It is disappointing that a true gifted Champion like him will now always be remembered for his whinging and antics as well as his achievements.
Banjorose
Guest
Glen Mitchell, the strength Adam Goodes has had is second to none. How on earth did this man cope with all the bad atmosphere surrounding him every single time he walked onto the field? How did other Indigenous players feel? I often wonder if this contributed to Buddy's state of mind & why he walked from the game, i for one don't blame him at all. Why would Buddy give 17 yrs to the game only to be treated like Adam Goodes by yobo drunks that have never achieved or have No Respect for anything add alone a Legends Career. I DON'T want to see Adam on GF day, i love this quitely spoken, highly educated, kind, very humble & thoughtful, gentleman. I couldn't bare seeing him hurt any more from people that he's devoted his whole career to. Doesn't matter what Adam does, AFL fans have been like sheep. His last game was a disgrace, thanks Nth Melbourne, feeling proud people?. If this was your son how would you feel? Glen, you sound as if you're trying to "shame" Adam to attend GF Parade, he owes nothing to anyone but himself. He has moved on thank God. Adam WAS pushed our of the game, have no doubt he could of gone on next year, he was playing brilliantly. If Adam, by chance does attend GF parade, my family & i won't renew our membership as WE KNOW how badly this will turn out. I'll keep following Adam via internet, he deserves a good life after AFL. Before going, i must touch on Adams Indigenous dance at the Carlton game. It was the day of my 64th birthday, attended the game with my adult children. I felt sooo proud seeing Goodesy showing SGC how much he loved his culture, IT WAS THE INDIGESOUS ROUND so appropriate, i simply loved it, it brought tears to my eyes but No this HAD to receive bad publicity, that's the only way they get good ratings...THANKS MEDIA.
I hate wimpy men
Guest
Give it a rest. He played for 18 years and maybe he dived a couple of times, even maybe a few in your eyes.. But the continous booing is still ok in your books even after numerous players and coaches came out and said it has gone to far and those who now boo will show they have racist tendencies. Still not good enough for you? What mighty morales we do have. I hope those around you expect you to obey by these high standards. Bit like your namesake Joey Johns. But i guess drugs are ok in your " moralistic" world.
SM
Guest
Unlikely, as I have no doubt that large parts of the Footy Show audience would be the ones actually booing him to begin with.
alan baggs
Guest
adam has been a great footballer but he should never have moved into the world of politics ,he is not that smart.His mouth is not as good as his boot.
Northerner
Guest
Actually, youre the one who needs to get over it. The 1950s are dead and dusted, whether you like it or not. Most of us hsve moved on.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
"Moreover, when Adam Goodes said that *he* perceived the booing to be racially motivated" Thankyou for mentioning that. After he said this it caused a little bit of a furore... Jason Akermanis said that Goodes should "stop looking like a sook and stop making it about him in this sense, and also he should stop trying to play the victim." This is when the booing really ramped up...
jax
Guest
They wouldn't give him a column but if they did it would vetted before going to print just as every other article is.
Northerner
Guest
Could you just provide evidence that the majority of footy fans think that way? Personally, I think the majority are better than that.