Adam Goodes has given his first media interview since retiring from the AFL, speaking to a student newspaper about racism, his plans for the future and his decision not to do a lap of honour on grand final day.
The dual Brownlow medallist told Sydney University’s Honi Soit newspaper he was “done” with football when he retired after Sydney lost the semi-final to North Melbourne and wanted to make his farewells in a “safe” environment.
Goodes has kept a low profile since retiring, opting against the MCG lap of honour for retired players and also asking not to be nominated for the AFL’s Madden Medal for on and off-field contribution.
He bade farewell to his supporters at the Swans’ best and fairest award last weekend.
“I didn’t want, once I’d finished footy, to be part of any other things that I had a choice in,” he told Honi Soit’s indigenous reporter.
“At the end of the day, it’s my choice to do the lap.
“At the end of the day, it was my choice not to be nominated for the Madden Medal.
“I had my last football responsibility at the club best and fairest and that’s what I was looking for.
“It was my supporters, my members, at that event, and you know it was a very safe environment for me to go to and give my sendoff to the people that mattered.”
The booing that plagued his final season was “one of many reasons” he chose to retire, making the decision two months before his final game.
There was a lot of factors, Goodes said.
“And obviously with all the booing and everything, that was another piece of the puzzle that made my decision quite easy,” he said.
Goodes plans to spend the next two months overseas before returning to Australia to continue his fight against racism and domestic violence, and in support of constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians.
Steve Kerr
Roar Rookie
Honestly, I'm not sure much of the media storm was really about Goodes himself: the 'anti-political correctness' crowd, and the equally selfish 'Look how not racist I am- give me a medal' crowd both jumped on his case to vent their own frustrations or blazon their supposed moral superiority across the internet. It was like some weird divorce with Goodes as the kid of parents looking to score points against each other. And I'd say both sides were equally culpable in forcing him into keeping a low profile.
WhereIsGene
Guest
The AFL is better off without him. Finally we can get back to discussing football not political issues.
Buzz
Guest
Agreed. I think its a symptom of so many people having an inability to place themselves in other peoples shoes. We live in times where people are more inclined to ridicule and stomp on someone than empathise and pick them up. Adam Goodes has done more for others in the past few years than his critics will do in a lifetime. Whilst the media has provided much coverage of the booing, Adam has chosen to remain quiet and out of the spotlight yet still he is constantly referred to as a sook and criticised. Most people are sheep and Australia has many. Thankfully we also have some great leaders of which Goodes is one. Like him or not post football he will continue to make a great contribution to Australia. Lets move on and look for the good and offer support to Adam in his future work in the Australian community.
Armadale_Demon
Guest
This is heartbreaking. Nothing about Goodes makes him a villain. It's really hard to see why he should be made to feel this way.