Adam Goodes has long been regarded as a leader but it has only been in recent times that he has become a captain as well.

Goodes, who is renowned for his work with the indigenous community, had to wait until after his 29th birthday before becoming one of three skippers at the Sydney Swans.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist has never been backward in expressing his leadership ambitions and says they have been a major motivating factor for him continuing on in the AFL.

That is why being selected to captain the Australian team in this year's International Rules in Ireland means so much.

"A lot of people asked me a couple of years ago 'You have won a premiership, you have won a couple of Brownlows what else do you want to do?," he said.

"Leadership is definitely the next step for me and having been a captain at the Swans for the past couple of years to have this fantastic honour of captaining your country is a brilliant thing.

"Something that I have been working hard towards at my own football club."

Goodes is a board member on the National Indigenous Council and a proud standard-bearer for his people.

Some wondered at times whether he would ever be recognised with the captaincy at the Swans, the club he has served with such distinction for more than a decade.

He watched as the likes of Brett Kirk, Leo Barry, Barry Hall and Craig Bolton were all preferred for the role following Stuart Maxfield's retirement.

Goodes, who has played 276 games for the Swans, was narrowly pipped for the honour by Bolton at the start of the 2008 season.

However the ever-professional utility said the club had enjoyed a great run with leaders - the Swans also being regular finalists during that time.

"I think at our football club we have been quite honoured to have such strong leaders like Paul Kelly, Stuart Maxfield, Brett Kirk, Leo Barry, Barry Hall just to name a few," he said.

"To play and learn under them has been a great environment for me to grow up in, it has taken a while for me to get there but I have had that desire to achieve it and is great to get there."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP