In cold, windy and often rainy conditions, Goodes was a class above everyone, spoiling the GC SUNS party at their first home game to lead the 14.11 (95) to 3.5 (23) win.
He kicked one goal in the first quarter, two in the second and three in the third before sitting out the final term, to totally dominate a scrappy NAB Challenge contest.
From the moment he swooped on a loose ball midway through the opening quarter and calmly slotted a snap on his right foot, it was always going to be Goodes’ day.
He took overhead marks, was sublime at ground level, and even had a miraculous left footed goal from the boundary line waved off after the ball was already out.
Despite sticking like glue, GC SUNS defenders Michael Coad and Jack Hutchins were simply outclassed.
Swans coach John Longmire was full of praise for his superstar.“He was very classy today. It’s hard to match up on him in that sort of form no matter who plays on him,” he said.
“Goodesy is a player you’d ideally like to play forward and midfield. We needed him there as a key forward and he’s shown us the flexibility that he’s able to adjust no matter where he plays, midfield or full forward.
”While playing an inexperienced and under-manned Suns outfit, the Swans were ruthless, dominating large patches of the match.
Tough nuts Jude Bolton and Jarrad McVeigh led the way, while Lewis Jetta offered plenty of run.
“I thought we went about it in a good way,” Longmire said.
“Most of the time I was pleased with the players endeavour and the way they went about it.
”Other than the return of experienced defender Nathan Bock – who was solid – Gold Coast SUNS Coach Guy McKenna played nearly all youngsters, resting Gary Ablett (groin), Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli, Campbell Brown, Jarrod Harbrow and Nathan Karkouer.
Their lighter bodies were always going to be found out in the heavy conditions.“We looked okay in the first half, (Sydney) got away a bit late in the first quarter and allowed them some easy opportunities. Certainly after half time it was like shifting the chairs on the Titanic but that’s to be expected,” McKenna said.
“That’s what the pre-season is all about, find out about these kids and no better place to find out than against Sydney.”
Josh Fraser was solid in the ruck, while Liam Patrick kicked two first quarter goals to excite the 2859 fans that braved the bad weather.
McKenna said there was no answer for Goodes.
“He’s a quality player in the AFL and we understand that. When you’re getting that sort of service, and I know that day wasn’t a flash day, (but) lack of pressure through the midfield and off half forward and you hit up Adam Goodes, it makes it tough for any defender, I don’t care who you are.”
GC SUNS play the Brisbane Lions at Southport next Sunday, while the Swans play St Kilda in their final hit-out before the season.
SYDNEY SWANS 3.8 6.11 11.11 14.11 (95)
GOLD COAST SUNS 2.0 3.3 3.4 3.5 (23)
GOALS Sydney Swans Goodes 6, Everitt 2, Bolton, McGlynn, Moore, McVeigh, Hannebery, Sumner
Gold Coast Patrick 2, May
BEST Sydney Swans Goodes, McVeigh, Jetta, Bolton, Everitt
Gold Coast SUNS Fraser, Patrick, Dixon, McKenzie, Jolly
INJURIES Sydney Swans: Rohan (Achilles)
Gold Coast SUNS
Reports: Nil
Official crowd: 2859 at Southprt
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
