Adam Goodes
|
|
Adam Goodes (born January 8, 1980) is an Australian rules football player.
He began with the North Ballarat Rebels in the Victorian Football League, but was drafted into the Australian Football League by the Sydney Swans in 1997, as the No. 43 pick. Goodes spent the 1998 season in the reserves competition, but broke into the first team the following year, and went on to win the league's Rising Star Award.
During 2000 and 2001, Goodes played in a variety of positions, developing his game but lacking consistency at times. He played every game during this period. In early 2002, however, his form had slumped and it had been suggested that he may be dropped. However, coach Rodney Eade resigned mid-season, and under interim (now permanent) coach Paul Roos, Goodes found himself playing more in the midfield. In the second half of that season, his form improved drastically, resulting in some of the best football of his career.
In 2003, Goodes returned to the ruck position for significant parts of the year, in what was to become his best season so far. He played a critical role in the Swans revival and eventual Preliminary Final spot that year. In particular, his efforts were crucial in the Swans' win against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final.
At the end of the season, Goodes won the club's best and fairest award and All-Australian selection for the first time. However, his greatest achievement was winning the league's highest honor, the Brownlow Medal, along with Collingwood's Nathan Buckley and Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto.
Goodes is of Aboriginal descent, and is active in the Sydney indigenous community. He has spent time working with troubled indigenous youth, including those in youth detention centres, along with his cousin and teammate Michael O'Loughlin.