DARREN MONCRIEFF
Tuesday 1 May 2012
IT is not inconceivable that Adam Goodes could break the near-mythical 400-game mark in the AFL, such is his durability and versatility in a game that demands so much from its combatants.
More importatnly, Goodes believes he has plenty more to offer his club, Sydney, with yet another solid display in his club record match on Sunday.
Goodes became the Swans' games record holder when he laced up for the 304th time for the red and white when they played Hawthorn in Tasmania at the weekend.
Incidentally, he broke the club record set by good mate and 2005 premiership team-mate Michael O'Loughlin, whose record 303 club games Goodes equalled in Adelaide two weeks ago.
Goodes' landmark match was set for a true football fairytale at the SCG last round but he was suspended for one match for rough conduct for a sliding tackle against Port Adelaide.
Goodes played in the Swans' drought-breaking 2005 AFL premiership, and the heartbreaking loss to the Eagles in the grand final in 2006.
He believes ultimate club success is just around the corner.
"That's why I'm still running around right now is I really believe we've got a great opportunity at this football club to win another premiership while I'm still here," Goodes said before his record-breaking match.
"There was just a group of players that were really driving the group and that was the next tier players and I reckon we've got that at this football club at the moment.
"You need those guys, week in week out, to win you games of football and I believe we've got those middle-tier players that really want that success and really want to take the club to the next level."
Adam Goodes' football record
Sydney premiership player 2005
Sydney captain 2009–current
20 finals matcches across 10 finals series1999, 2001, 2003-08, 2010, 2011
Brownlow Medal 2003, 2006
Indigenous All-Star 2009
Bob Skilton Medal 2003, 2006, 2011
State of Origin (Victoria) 2008
All Australian 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011
Indigenous Team Of The Century
International Rules 2001; Captain 2010
AFL Rising Star 1999
Quickest player in AFL history to play 300 AFL games
204 consecutive games between 1999-2008 (the second best after the late Jim Stynes' 244)
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 01/05/2012 11:56