Adam Goodes

Adam Goodes, Australian Football League player, is a quiet achiever from the North Ballarat Rebels. Goodes was recruited to the Sydney Swans at the end of 1997, the Swans selecting him with the number 43 draft pick. He spent 1998 developing his game in the Swans reserves, but burst onto the scene in 1999, filling in for the club in the ruck. He won the league's Rising Star Award that year. 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, he was down on form and confidence, almost on the verge of asking to be dropped. After coach Rodney Eade resigned mid-season, Goodes played more in the midfield under interim (now permanent) coach Paul Roos. The second half of that season was his best football of his career. In 2003, Goodes came of age. Returning to the ruck for significant parts of the year, he became Sydney's best player, playing a critical role in the Swans revival and eventual Preliminary Final spot that year. In particular, his game against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final, a game the Swans were never expected to win, is regarded as one of the greatest individual performances in recent years. Goodes won the club's best and fairest award and All-Australian selection for the first time, but his greatest achievement was winning the Brownlow Medal along with Collingwood's Nathan Buckley and Adelaide's Mark Riccuito. In 2004, Goodes has suffered from increased expectations and is battling a knee injury. Goodes is of aboriginal descent, and is active in the Sydney indigenous community. Along with his cousin and teammate Michael O'Loughlin, he works with indigenous youths and is considered to be a role model and ambassador for his community.