The legacy of Adam Goodes looms large over Dean Cox every day when the Sydney coach arrives at work.
A bronze statue depicting Goodes’s iconic war dance during a match against Carlton at the SCG a decade ago has pride of place outside the Swans’ HQ, while the dual Brownlow medallist is a regular visitor to the club along with close friend and former teammate Michael O’Loughlin.
As his side prepares to face the Blues at the SCG for Sir Doug Nicholls round this Friday, Cox spoke of the inspiration he and his players draw from Goodes’s presence and enduring bond with the club.
“Obviously, Adam and Michael have the GO Foundation, which is under the roof of the headquarters here,” Cox said. “The work that they do in the community for education, awareness, grants, everything that happens through that part is really significant.
“They’re always in here, which is great as well, because they’re past champions of this football club, who the players idolise.”
Goodes endured sustained booing from opposition fans during the end of his career and, in an interview with this masthead four years after his retirement, told how “my love for the game died inside of me in those final years of me playing.”
Swans greats Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes unveil the Goodes statue near Swans headquarters in 2023Credit: Sydney Swans
The AFL issued a formal apology to Goodes in 2019, but the former Swans star knocked back an invitation to be inducted to the league’s hall of fame in 2021 and remains distanced from the organisation.
But Goodes retains a strong connection with the Swans, joining his former teammates in 2022 at the SCG as part of the 10-year reunion for the 2012 premiership team.
Goodes will not be in attendance at the SCG on Friday evening, but the GO Foundation of he and O’Loughlin will act as match-day partner, with the game’s best player also awarded the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal.
Cox reflected on Goodes’ courage in standing up against racism in his career and his pride in Sir Doug Nicholls round, which celebrates some of the game’s great past and present indigenous footballers.
Adam Goodes and Nic Malceski at the 10-year reunion of the Swans’ 2012 premiership-winning team at the SCG in 2022.Credit: Phil Hillyard
“Everyone knows the impact he had on the game and what he stood for, which is an unbelievable thing for someone to stand up for what they believe in, and Adam did that,” Cox said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the club, the broader AFL community with a Sir Doug Nicholls round as well, to be able to acknowledge the impact that Indigenous players have had on this great game.
“That’s not just the players that I’ve played against (for the West Coast Eagles) or the ones that are currently playing, it’s the generations that have allowed young kids the dream and hope to play AFL footy, and Adam certainly did that for so many people.”
While the club draws strength from its past, Cox knows the Swans’ immediate future hinges on key selection decisions this week.
Sydney fans got behind Adam Goodes in 2015 after the dual Brownlow medallist and two-time premiership player was subjected to a sustained campaign of booing from opposition fans. Goodes retains a close link with the club.Credit: Christopher Pearce
The Swans are sweating on the fitness of club captain Callum Mills, who is yet to play this season, and forward Joel Amartey, who has missed the last four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Both players are close to returning, with Cox using Tuesday’s training session to review both players. Last season Mills underwent major shoulder surgery, then suffered a calf injury before returning to play in the AFL without time in the VFL, playing just six more games before a hamstring strain ultimately kept him out of the grand final.
This season, Mills has been dealing with a tear of the plantar fascia and Cox will review the history of his injuries before deciding whether to ease him back into the reserves or call him back to face Carlton.
“I think that’s one thing you have to look at is what he did previously, when he came back, what injury was it compared to what he’s done so far,” Cox said.
“So we need to look at all the metrics, it’s a big decision for a footy club on your captain to get it right.”
