Goodes has noticed a marked difference in his performances while his side has also enjoyed a solid start, sixth on the ladder after seven rounds.
"I think the way I've started this year, my intensity and work rate have definitely been there. I think the problem last year was that the work rate wasn't there," he said on Wednesday.
"So [this season] I've been able to focus on more of the game plans and executions while last year it was about working on getting me to work a lot harder."
The dual Brownlow Medallist took this form into last weekend's Hall of Fame Tribute Match and was happy with his contribution in the one-off match to celebrate the code's 150 years.
"After quarter time I thought I really attacked the game and played to my strengths," he said.
"In the first quarter I thought I was a little more concerned with my opponent, as I should've been as it was Matthew Richardson on the wing and he was on fire in the first quarter."
Goodes starred for the Big V with 21 touches in the 17-point win.
"It was good to continue on a bit of form over the last three weeks, touching and using the footy OK, so I was pretty pleased," he added.
"I pulled up pretty good. I only played 75 percent of the game, which is considerably lower than what I'd normally play."
Goodes also believes the match came at a good time, allowing him to maintain the momentum of the previous weeks.
"I think by round 13 you're probably looking forward to the bye as there's a bit of grind on the body by then, but we've only played seven games so I was glad to have continued that bit of momentum that I've got going," he said.
And the onballer likes the idea of a representative game every three or four years, seeing a number of options for that type of game in the future.
"I fully supported the game on the weekend," he said. "A game of that structure can definitely work. I definitely support it on that basis, whether it's an All-Australian team, All-Indigenous or Dream Team.
"To be able to play good footy at that level and to be able to get a group of players together the way they did and really play for each other is a positive."
The Swans play Essendon on Sunday at ANZ Stadium, with the Marn Grook Trophy up for grabs.
"The main thing was that all the players [the Swans] got through the Hall of Fame match OK. So we're raring to go, as are the players who've had the week off," said Goodes.
"It's a big month. It's always good to play well in the Marn Grook game, especially against the Bombers who have talented young Indigenous players.
"Myself and Michael [O'Loughlin] are certainly looking forward to putting one over on them."
