RETIRED Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes has earned the right to decide how he farewells the game, according to teammate Luke Parker.
It had been reported that Goodes would not to take part in the pre-game parade of retirees at the AFL Grand Final amid fears of another negative response from supporters.
However, Goodes told reporters outside the Swans' Mad Monday function that he hadn't considered his Grand Final day plans at all.
The dual Brownlow medallist didn't conduct a formal press conference at the function but informally advised some media he hadn't thought about the grand final.
"Rumours are rumours. It's my last Mad Monday and I want to enjoy it with my team-mates," Goodes told the ABC.
"I haven't even thought about it to be honest. I didn't think we'd lose this weekend."
Goodes has been booed by opposition fans all year and was missed the Swans' round 18 clash with Adelaide at the SCG as he sought a break from the public scrutiny surrounding the situation.
He returned the following week against Geelong after several key figures in the football community made a strong public stand against his treatment, but the boos have notably returned at the two finals he has played.
Parker said Goodes had every right not to turn up for a public farewell on the biggest day of the season after such a trying year, but he still hoped for a change of heart from the 35-year-old.
"It would be great for the fans to celebrate his career and show how much respect they have for him, because I think the majority of them do," Parker said.
"It's what he feels is best for him. I think the fans would really enjoy it to say goodbye to a great, so it's up to him whether he wants to do it or not.
"It's always great to say goodbye to champions of the game and get the opportunity to do that, but if that’s the way he wants to go out, so be it.
"Everyone at the Swans knows he's a an absolute legend of the game and the majority of people think that as well.
"I don't think it's going to hurt him as a person going to the Grand Final or not."
Goodes joined most of the Swans squad at a Sydney inner city hotel to celebrate a premature end to the 2015 season after their disappointing 26-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday night.
Star forward Lance Franklin was a notable absentee as he continues ongoing treatment for a mental health issue, but Parker said Buddy was still in the thoughts of his teammates.
"I think we've shown our support to 'Bud', a few of the boys have been in contact with him, everyone has sent him a lot of messages," Parker said.
"I think when the time is right he'll be good to come back and be around the boys and celebrate the season that it was."
The Swans turned the beer garden into a makeshift cricket pitch on a sunny Sydney afternoon, as retired defender Rhyce Shaw – dressed as Shane Watson in full whites – looked at home on a flat deck with willow in hand.
As usual Lewis Jetta tried to avoid the media in dark sunglasses and an '80s wig, as speculation continues over his future at the club.
The out of contract West Australian has refused to recommit to the Swans and is believed to have his eyes on a move back to Perth to play with West Coast.
Parker said he was hopeful that Jetta – who looked out of sorts over the past month and was subbed out of last week's final in the third quarter with just seven touches – would remain in Sydney.
"It's disappointing in a way, we know he's such a big playmaker for us and he's very dangerous when the ball is in his hands," Parker said.
"Hopefully we don't lose him and that's what we're all hoping for but he's got to do what's best for him.
"If that happens I guess we move on and someone picks up the slack there."