BRETT Goodes is the latest poster boy for mature-aged recruits in the AFL. The 29-year-old had an instant impact for the Western Bulldogs in their 68-point crushing of the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s season-opener at Etihad Stadium.
Goodes landed at the Whitten Oval via the pre-season draft after working as the club’s welfare manager last season.
The brother of Sydney Swans superstar Adam was on the radar of the Bulldogs last season after a stellar year with Williamstown in the VFL.
It was at state league level where Goodes rose to prominence, playing a huge role in North Ballarat’s three-peat premiership era from 2008-10.
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney was impressed with Goodes’ strength around the footy, general football awareness and leadership qualities.
“We were watching him a lot last year at Williamstown,” he said, “and every time the ball was near him, he went straight at it.
“He didn’t get knocked off the ball and he’s got a terrific ability to know where his numbers are and where his mates are and go looking for them and use the ball that way.
“His fundamentals of the game are very good and we’re pretty proud of Brett, the person, what he offers the club on and off the field.”
Goodes has been the talk of the town since his eye-catching debut.
He finished with 24 possessions, seven marks and two tackles.
His composure out of the back half was telling and his courage to back into packs team-lifting.
Goodes, who played in the NAB Cup, fitted in seamlessly, and points to his practice-match runs for gaining a quick understanding of the team structures.
“Adapting to the AFL level, it’s a bit quicker,” he said. “You’ve got some big boys out there.
“To adapt to that over the NAB Cup and come into round one not worrying how it’s going to be, [having no] ifs, buts and maybes about things, just knowing the structure and the way we want to play, you always go back to that.”
While Goodes insisted the win was the “most important thing”, you could not blame the debutant if he wanted to look back on his own performance with fondness. It’s been a long time in the making.
Goodes admitted his workrate as a TAC Cup player and into his early 20s might have scared away the recruiters, but it has been hard work ever since to achieve finally his dream of reaching the AFL.
“I think I was probably ready about the age of 22 or 23,” he said. “Before that I don’t think I was.
“I was probably lazy and didn’t really work hard throughout TAC Cup and the years after that.
“The penny did drop when I was 23. I actually worked pretty hard and got myself fit and played in a successful side with North Ballarat.
“North Melbourne were looking at me at that stage with their affiliate, but it never worked out.
“That’s when I thought it was never going to happen, but it’s funny how it all works out.”
The Bulldogs will host the Fremantle Dockers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
