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He's Goodes, but not great yet
By NIKKI TUGWELL
April 9, 2004
ADAM Goodes believes he must broaden his already-bulging repertoire by being a more potent goal-kicking force before he can class himself alongside the likes of Michael Voss and Nathan Buckley.
Goodes, 24, also identified contested marks as another aspect of his game to hone.
But he maintains that he feels no pressure to produce a three-vote Brownlow display every outing.
While Goodes is a unique talent, his status at the Swans bears some affinity to that of Voss at Brisbane and Buckley at Collingwood.
As with Collingwood and Buckley under the coaching of Mick Malthouse, the Swans are mindful of not being too one-dimensional and becoming over-reliant on Goodes.
The confidence Goodes' presence on the field gives his teammates is not dissimilar to Voss for the Lions.
But, given last year was his breakthrough season, Goodes claims comparisons to Voss and Buckley are premature.
"I'm nowhere near those guys," said Goodes, who is also a leading candidate [with Jude Bolton] to lead his club and inherit the Swans captaincy when Stuart Maxfield retires.
"They've been doing it for 10 years now. I've been doing it for 18 months. We'll see how I'm going in four years time ? then I might consider myself to be up with those champions of the game.
"But there is a lot more improvement in my own game and what I have to give to the team . . . particularly in contested marking when I'm resting up forward that result in shots on goal.
"I kicked 20 goals last year and I would like to kick 30 goals this year."
Goodes flourished last season when his responsibility was doubled in the absence of key ruckmen Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle.
Teams struggled to find a natural match-up for him when in ruck because of his second and third roving efforts ? and his aerobic capacity to keep running and pick up possessions forward, back and along the flanks.
"I was the last tall guy left so it was really asked of me to perform," Goodes said.
"But having Ball and Doyle back in the ruck it gives us the extra advantage now, instead of being reliant like last year on one person.
"It's an opportunity to see what else I can get out of myself."
While the Swans will continue to use the advantage Goodes offers them in the ruck, he will now play a more diverse role depending on the demands of the game.
"I'll try and do the best I can do in the team role I'm given every week," Goodes said.
"If it means I'm not going to get as many touches playing in a defensive cover or the ruck all game, it doesn't matter as long as we win the game. There aren't expectations to be best-of-ground every week."
While Goodes has signalled his desire to kick more goals this year, he believes there aren't many better forwards to be lining up next to at the moment than Barry Hall.
"Barry has been fantastic so it's easy to be biased," he said.
"I've been lucky enough to see Warren Tredrea in the past two weeks and he is an absolute champion centre half-forward.
"I think they are the dominant forwards in the league."
By NIKKI TUGWELL
April 9, 2004
ADAM Goodes believes he must broaden his already-bulging repertoire by being a more potent goal-kicking force before he can class himself alongside the likes of Michael Voss and Nathan Buckley.
Goodes, 24, also identified contested marks as another aspect of his game to hone.
But he maintains that he feels no pressure to produce a three-vote Brownlow display every outing.
While Goodes is a unique talent, his status at the Swans bears some affinity to that of Voss at Brisbane and Buckley at Collingwood.
As with Collingwood and Buckley under the coaching of Mick Malthouse, the Swans are mindful of not being too one-dimensional and becoming over-reliant on Goodes.
The confidence Goodes' presence on the field gives his teammates is not dissimilar to Voss for the Lions.
But, given last year was his breakthrough season, Goodes claims comparisons to Voss and Buckley are premature.
"I'm nowhere near those guys," said Goodes, who is also a leading candidate [with Jude Bolton] to lead his club and inherit the Swans captaincy when Stuart Maxfield retires.
"They've been doing it for 10 years now. I've been doing it for 18 months. We'll see how I'm going in four years time ? then I might consider myself to be up with those champions of the game.
"But there is a lot more improvement in my own game and what I have to give to the team . . . particularly in contested marking when I'm resting up forward that result in shots on goal.
"I kicked 20 goals last year and I would like to kick 30 goals this year."
Goodes flourished last season when his responsibility was doubled in the absence of key ruckmen Jason Ball and Stephen Doyle.
Teams struggled to find a natural match-up for him when in ruck because of his second and third roving efforts ? and his aerobic capacity to keep running and pick up possessions forward, back and along the flanks.
"I was the last tall guy left so it was really asked of me to perform," Goodes said.
"But having Ball and Doyle back in the ruck it gives us the extra advantage now, instead of being reliant like last year on one person.
"It's an opportunity to see what else I can get out of myself."
While the Swans will continue to use the advantage Goodes offers them in the ruck, he will now play a more diverse role depending on the demands of the game.
"I'll try and do the best I can do in the team role I'm given every week," Goodes said.
"If it means I'm not going to get as many touches playing in a defensive cover or the ruck all game, it doesn't matter as long as we win the game. There aren't expectations to be best-of-ground every week."
While Goodes has signalled his desire to kick more goals this year, he believes there aren't many better forwards to be lining up next to at the moment than Barry Hall.
"Barry has been fantastic so it's easy to be biased," he said.
"I've been lucky enough to see Warren Tredrea in the past two weeks and he is an absolute champion centre half-forward.
"I think they are the dominant forwards in the league."
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