AFL superstar Adam Goodes says he is definitely back to full match fitness, and believes he might only need to pinch-hit in the midfield because of the Swans’ fantastic form in that area.
Goodes, Sydney’s all-time games record holder, has played five straight games since missing five with torn quadriceps.
The Swans have won all five, as part of a seven-match victory streak that has rocketed them to the top of the ladder.
After a quiet first game back against Geelong, Goodes has averaged 17 touches, five marks and two goals in Sydney’s past four fixtures.
“I definitely feel like my match fitness is back,” Goodes told AAP on Wednesday, as he helped promote National Tree Day in Sydney in his role as an ambassador for Toyota.
“It was always going to take about a month and I’m definitely back to that now.
“On the weekend, I played the most that I’ve played (since coming back). Only coming off a couple of times, which is normal for me.”
While he has spent a bit of time in the midfield, Goodes has been used primarily up forward, where he is developing a flourishing combination with Sam Reid and some of the Swans’ big men.
“Our forward line structure is working for us, with myself, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and the likes of Mike Pyke and Shane Mumford pinch-hitting at times has been really good for us,” Goodes said.
“Our midfield has been going fantastically well, but me getting into the midfield isn’t required probably as much as it probably was last year.
“I still love playing in the midfield and will pinch-hit from time to time.”
Goodes has attributed the stunning rise of Sydney’s newest indigenous star Lewis Jetta to working hard in the pre-season.
“He had to concentrate on what he didn’t do well, and that was his tackling and his fitness,” Goodes said.
“He worked extremely hard on those and he’s reaping the benefits now and he can relate it all back to hard work.
“Going forward in Lewis’s career, he’ll know that hard work is what’s going to be the key to keep him at the top.”
He felt the development of Jetta and several of Sydney’s other youngsters and second-tier players had been a big factor in the club’s improvement this season.
