DARREN MONCRIEFF
Saturday, July 9, 2011
BRETT GOODES will put his considerable talent on display for a national audience when Williamstown and East Perth clash for the right to play off in the first Foxtel Cup grand final at Etihad Stadium today.
The 27-year-old has given the new inter-league club competition the thumbs up and is eager for the Seagulls to advance into the cup decider.
Williamstown will be playing its first Foxtel Cup match at home in Victoria after defeating Swan Districts in Perth and West Adelaide in Adelaide.
The Royals defeated North Ballarat at home and NT Thunder in Darwin to reach today's semi-final.
Goodes (pictured) can add yet another entry to his football CV when he runs out today -- this game will be his first in the Foxtel Cup -- but he was more keen to talk up his side's chances.
"From the club's point of view we're going out to there to win the Foxtel Cup," Goodes said. "The Cup (competition) is a great idea and we'd love to be the first to win it so we're not holding back today. Of course, if we do lose we've still got our VFL season."
That season is going along swimmingly with the Seagulls recording their third win in a row last weekend to sit in second place on the league ladder.
"For us players, it's just another game in the sense of the way we train, review our previous game, opposition analysis," Goodes said. "But things change a bit for the coaching staff; the way they approach match-ups might change because it will be a different style of footy so I guess in those terms the coaches are the ones doing the homework player-wise.
"I just think it's a fantastic idea and I think those clubs which chose not to play a part in it this year was their loss."
Goodes is in his first season with Williamstown.
He is a dual premiership player with rival VFL club North Ballarat but employment with the Western Bulldogs brought him to Melbourne and the Seagulls, which is affiliated with the AFL club.
In between VFL clubs, Goodes joined NT Thunder in its second season last year. He's played for Victoria and had a stint with SANFL club Port Adelaide.
"I'm just fortunate to have played in different leagues," he said. "The majority of my career was at North Ballarat which is where I learnt the most. I left there on good terms as that club had a huge influence on me.
"With new clubs in different leagues you meet new people and I guess it's the relationships you build in footy; that's most important to me.
"In terms of footy, you always learn things about different players. The advantage of not just being a one-club player is that you also learn a bit more about your footy.
"At North Ballarat, through those crucial stages as a young guy you learn a lot. At different clubs, your role changes. Clubs play you anywhere and I'm not too fussed with that; I just try and make an impact wherever I'm needed."
Goodes' role at the Western Bulldogs is as player well-being and personal development co-ordinator.
He will be joined today by fellow Aboriginal players Nathan Djerrkura, Zephaniah Skinner and Brennan Stack.
Entry to today's Foxtel Cup semi-final at Etihad Stadium (3pm) is free. It will be televised nationally on Fox Sports.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 09/07/2011 10:40