Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes has enjoyed his revenge against Adelaide, taking the Swans into an AFL preliminary final with a best-on-ground performance.
Goodes kicked three goals and had a hand in several others as the Swans stormed to a 29-point win against the Crows in the second qualifying final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
The result was in stark contrast to the round six clash between the two sides when the former Brownlow medallist tore a quad muscle in Sydney’s five point loss and missed the next five matches.
When he went down the Swans were storming home, leading into the last quarter after trailing by five goals before halftime.
It was a testing time considering before that injury he had only missed seven games since his debut in 1999.
As well as his three goals against the Crows, Goodes also had seven marks and 22 disposals in a performance coach John Longmire said was simply “outstanding”.
“His work rate is second to none and his start in particular really set the tone,” Longmire said.
“He led from the front today and finals is a terrific time to do it.”
Goodes kicked the first two goals for the Swans and added his third just before halftime in a key moment in the game.
The set shot from 40 metres came against the flow of play and left Adelaide trailing by 25 points at the main break.
He was quieter in the second half, but by then the damage was done.
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said Goodes’s influence on the game was significant.
“He’s a winner. He loves the big stage,” Sanderson said.
“He was the one who really stood up for them.”