A decade on, Adam Goodes remains a towering presence at Swans

Sydney Morning Herald

14-05-2025

Goodes will not be in attendance at the SCG on Friday evening, but the GO Foundation of he and O'Loughlin will act as match-day partner, with the game's best player also awarded the Goodes-O'Loughlin medal.
Cox reflected on Goodes' courage in standing up against racism in his career and his pride in Sir Doug Nicholls round, which celebrates some of the game's great past and present indigenous footballers.
'Everyone knows the impact he had on the game and what he stood for, which is an unbelievable thing for someone to stand up for what they believe in, and Adam did that,' Cox said.
'I think it's a great opportunity for the club, the broader AFL community with a Sir Doug Nicholls round as well, to be able to acknowledge the impact that Indigenous players have had on this great game.
'That's not just the players that I've played against (for the West Coast Eagles) or the ones that are currently playing, it's the generations that have allowed young kids the dream and hope to play AFL footy, and Adam certainly did that for so many people.'
While the club draws strength from its past, Cox knows the Swans' immediate future hinges on key selection decisions this week.
The Swans are sweating on the fitness of club captain Callum Mills, who is yet to play this season, and forward Joel Amartey, who has missed the last four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Both players are close to returning, with Cox using Tuesday's training session to review both players. Last season Mills underwent major shoulder surgery, then suffered a calf injury before returning to play in the AFL without time in the VFL, playing just six more games before a hamstring strain ultimately kept him out of the grand final.
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This season, Mills has been dealing with a tear of the plantar fascia and Cox will review the history of his injuries before deciding whether to ease him back into the reserves or call him back to face Carlton.
'I think that's one thing you have to look at is what he did previously, when he came back, what injury was it compared to what he's done so far,' Cox said.
'So we need to look at all the metrics, it's a big decision for a footy club on your captain to get it right.'