Beyond his obvious talents as an AFL footballer his charm, compassion and charisma can be measured in spades; where Adam Goodes goes the rest of the country and the media follow.
You see that’s the thing about media and commentators, we need you to listen to us and to listen to us, we need to give you something you want to hear. Adam Goodes is someone you want to hear.
Love him or love to hate him, that’s okay with Goodesy, because if he’s got you talking, then you are paying attention to something that you may not have noticed.
There have been endless comments and debate over the past few days about glory seeking and agenda driving. For me, the article that really cut through, referred to his cousin and former team mate Michael O’Loughlin. Written by Andrew Webster, nothing is as straight forward as it seems and with Adam there’s always a deeper motivation, sometimes one you can’t see.
Last Friday the Indigenous round kicked off with the game between Sydney Swans and Carlton. The event highlights the contribution and achievements of its Indigenous players. It’s a round when players get to wear their colours and celebrate their culture.
Adam ran onto the field wearing an ancient Adnyamathanha story painted by his mother and handed down by his ancestors. During this special week traditional designs adorn the guernseys of every AFL club and traditional sounds from didgerdoos echo around the ground from the first bounce.
The level of pride this induces in Indigenous fans and players is indescribable
The level of pride this induces in Indigenous fans and players is indescribable.
To those of us that know that feeling, it comes as no surprise that a player as instinctive as Goodes would break out into traditional dance moves after kicking a goal on Sydney Swans home turf, the SCG. If this wasn’t the appropriate time to do it, then when would it be?
That’s the thing with Adam Goodes, that’s the thing that makes him special. He does what he needs to do, when it needs to be done.
To those who know him, or those of us that have heard his story, this is nothing new. From jumping out of the window as a child to ring the police, to standing up against racism and saying no to domestic violence. Adam does this instinctively, he stands up for what he believes in and takes the punches that come with it. He does it because he can and others can’t.
Very few people have a profile as powerful as Adam’s, and even fewer use their platforms to inspire positive change, to challenge the status quo and to make us think differently about what is acceptable and most importantly what is right. This is his motivation.
