GEELONG and the Sydney Swans will run through a joint banner in Saturday night's clash at Simonds Stadium as a sign of respect for Adam Goodes.
Goodes took a week away from the sport after being relentlessly booed by opposition supporters - a response which the dual Brownlow medallist believed was racially motivated.
He will make his return against Geelong and running through a joint banner is just one of a number of activities the clubs will do.
'Welcome to the country' will be performed live pre-match and there will be messages on the big screen centred around respect, unity and fairness.
"Respect and unity are two of our club's core values, and we have found through the years that the Swans share a similar outlook to our club," Geelong CEO Brian Cook said.
"We believe the teams coming together before the game in this way is a clear message that while we compete during the game, there is and should always be great respect shown within that contest. We love the fact that supporters are passionate, but we do not want this to cross the line.
"All players should feel comfortable that they are being treated fairly and we have great faith that our supporters will be doing all they can to help our team, but that doesn't include the reaction we have seen towards Adam in recent weeks.
"We have undertaken a collaborative approach to ensure everyone involved is comfortable with what is being undertaken. Our discussions have included the Swans, the AFL, AFLPA and Adam Goodes' management."
Cats coach Chris Scott expected the vast majority of fans would refrain from booing Goodes.
"It's been acknowledged that it's an issue bigger than just Adam Goodes, bigger than the booing of an individual player," Scott said on Wednesday.
"I think most reasoned people acknowledge that all the reasons for booing him in the past are different potentially to the reasons why you might boo him now.
"There can be no excuse for booing him in the future.
"So we're really confident and hopeful that our supporters will support our players really strongly and be positive with our players, but be respectful of the opposition as well."
Goodes return locked in, Swan 'humbled' by support
The Swans will be looking to shore up a top-four spot while eighth-placed Geelong need to keep winning if it is to reach the finals for a ninth straight year, making it a season-defining clash for both clubs.
"Our players' focus is on the game now," said Scott.
"We are extremely respectful of the position that Sydney and in particular Adam Goodes find themselves in, and we'll do everything we can to make sure they're treated with the respect they deserve.
"Beyond that our focus is making sure we play as hard as we possibly can."
Scott said he was unaware of any plan for players to stage a walk-off if the mood in the crowd turned ugly.
"If you're talking really radical things like that, I tend to think they have the most impact if they're organic and unplanned," he said.
"Certainly from our perspective, to plan something like that, and potentially arrive at an outcome that's contrived, is not the way we're choosing to go."
