CONFIDENCE is building among Adam Goodes' teammates that the dual Brownlow medallist could make a stunning return for the Sydney Swans' semi-final showdown with Carlton.
Goodes took part in a full hour-long training session on Tuesday and then ran laps under the watchful eye of the conditioning staff as he tries to prove he is ready for a return to action.
The 33-year-old hasn't played since round 13, but comments from some of his teammates suggest just having the superstar in the side would make the Swans walk a little taller as they attempt to keep their season alive.
"I think Goodesy's feeling really confident, as are the players," midfielder Dan Hannebery said.
"If there's one guy that can go out there after a long lay-off it's probably him, with the way he prepares off the field and goes about his footy.
"It's a matter of whether the coaches are feeling as confident as some of the players are, but it'd be great to see him run out with us on Saturday night."
Goodes found his every move being analysed on Tuesday, starting with five cameras filming him from close range as he laced his boots.
He cut a happy figure as he initially ran a warm-up lap and took a few bounces, before stretching and having a long conversation with club doctor Nathan Gibbs.
The veteran then took part in some one-on-one drills, hitting top pace over a short sprint and engaging in kick-to-kick and some goal-kicking practice seemingly uninhibited.
Once game simulation began, he took three strong marks lining up deep forward, even unleashing a little fist pump after slotting a goal.
Goodes looked a little unsure about some potential tackling situations and took regular rests, suggesting his fitness is a little lacking after such a long layoff.
Conversations with conditioning coach Rob Spurrs continued before he ran some laps, with Jetta and Lewis Roberts-Thomson also doing some extra running after training.
Teammate Nick Malceski echoed Hannebery's thoughts that Goodes' return would lift the reigning premiers.
"He trained on the weekend, he'll be training today and hopefully he can play this weekend," Malceski said.
"He's an amazing player. He's a good leader and good player to have out on the ground.
"I'm sure his presence, if he does play, will be huge out there."
The Swans need to weigh up whether they can afford to take a number of underdone players into a knockout final.
Fringe players including Brandon Jack, Jed Lamb, Harry Cunningham and Shane Biggs, who have made strong contributions this season, are ready if called upon by the match committee.
But Goodes and Jetta are proven big-game performers and Hannebery hopes both make the cut this week.
"I think you can (play them both)," he said. "It's a matter of how the coach and the fitness guys look at it and how they look to get that mix right.
"I'm sure they'll be talking about it right now and for the next few days.
"We know how important they are if they do play well for the side.
"They create a few nightmares for the opposition."
Goodes himself has been making sure coach John Longmire has him at the forefront of his mind.
"He's got a spring in his step, he's smiling, I think he's been in (Longmire's) office twice a day for the last two weeks just telling him how good he's feeling," Hannebery said.
"You can see in his face he's pretty keen.
"If there's one guy that could probably do it off a long layoff it's Adam Goodes, so I'm pretty confident he'll get out there for us on Saturday night."
