In his keynote speech at the Swans’ guernsey presentation on Wednesday night, Goodes spoke of his search to understand his Aboriginality and how his search helped him foster the club’s Bloods ethos.
The dual Brownlow Medallist told the 500-strong gathering that when he moved to Sydney, he had little understanding of his indigenous heritage.
“I had fantastic role models here in Mick O’Loughlin, Troy Cook and Robbie Ahmat to help support me and mentor me in Sydney… I was surrounded by my brothers, but I still didn’t know what it was,” he said.
“I didn’t know where I came from, or the history of my people, or what my culture actually looked like. So I enrolled in TAFE and started my education into what it was to be Aboriginal.”
Goodes said the importance of storytelling in indigenous culture, which allowed Aboriginal law to be passed from generation to generation, was mirrored in the Swans’ community.
“From being involved in this community, I have learned a lot about how my indigenous ancestors and family members used to live. I feel a strong connection to this community, like I belong,” he said.
“I am a custodian of our group, and of our culture. I have many different roles that I can do for the group, and most importantly, I can pass it on to the next generation.”
To that end, Goodes urged the club’s new players to embrace the Bloods’ ethos of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the wider group.
“Don’t take what we have for granted. Our culture can change quickly so with good leadership and discipline, we’ll be able to sustain our culture in the future,” he said.
“We all have a role to play in this community, our Swans family, from coach to custodians to first-year players.
“Understand what we are asking from you and work extremely hard to do your best. For this family to succeed and flourish, we need everyone playing their role.”
Goodes’ speech echoed the earlier words of co-captain Brett Kirk, who spoke about the passion that the Swans demanded of their community.
Kirk said the Swans were “the best club in the AFL” and attributed its strength to the passion of its players and staff.
“Other AFL clubs and sporting organisations want what we’ve got. They want the blueprint to our culture. But it doesn’t matter what they do, they won’t be able to get it. We have our culture because of the people we choose in the Sydney Swans family,” he said.
“Consistent enthusiasm, a belief in what you are doing, a hunger to be better and a desire to achieve great results are not optional this year at the Swans – it is expected.”
And Swans coach Paul Roos left the congregation in no doubt as to his expectations.
“The simple thing will be the effort, the passion, the belief, the courage and all the things that go into playing AFL football,” he said.
“If we can have the same commitment that we’ve had for the last six years; the same effort, the same work ethic... we’ll play in finals again in 2009.”
Dream Team watch – Adam Goodes is rated a $359,200 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
Brett Kirk is rated a $404,400 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
