South Aussie Goodes okay to play for Vic
Adam Goodes has spent the past decade in Sydney and considers himself a South Australian.
But he is supremely happy to be pulling on the Victorian jumper in Saturday night's Hall of Fame clash against the Dream Team at the MCG.
South Australians have traditionally had a festering hatred of Victorians in regards to Australian Rules and the thought of one of their own in the big V could be hard for some to stomach.
Such loathing clearly never made an impact in the Goodes household.
That may have something to do with the fact he didn't play the sport before his move to Victoria as a 13-year-old.
"A couple of weeks before the (Hall of Fame) squads were announced they asked me what I saw myself as," he said.
"I said I was born in South Australia and I see myself as South Australian and then they told me the rules that it was where ever you played the majority of junior footy that was the state that you represent.
"Having not played any Aussie Rules in South Australia, only in Victoria, that is why I was deemed to play for Victoria and not South Australia and the Dream Team."
The two-time Brownlow Medallist, who played soccer in Adelaide before crossing the border to Horsham, is more than comfortable playing in the big V.
"I did wear the big V in the U/16 and U/18s so it is a very proud moment," he said.
That allegiance of sorts comes despite only living in Victoria for four years before being drafted to the Swans in 1997.
"I am just happy to be involved whether it is for the big V or the Dream Team, to play State of Origin or a game like it, is a great opportunity," he said.
"It might be the last opportunity that us players get."
The 28-year-old athletic utility credited some stern words from Sydney coach Paul Roos with kickstarting his sluggish start to the AFL season.
By his standards, Roos delivered damning criticism of Goodes' output following Sydney's 42-point loss to Geelong a fortnight ago at Skilled Stadium.
"I think it was a good thing to happen," Goodes said.
"I think the ball is just bouncing in my favour a lot more and I am winning a lot more contested footy and a lot more clearances around the stoppages and that is getting me into my game," he said.
He was looking forward to playing against Swans teammates this weekend with Craig Bolton, Brett Kirk and Tadhg Kennelly all making the 30-man Dream Team squad.
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