Good news for Goodes and the Swans - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Good news for Goodes and the Swans

By Adrian Warren 12/09/2011 06:59:43 PM Comments (0)

Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes won't be looking for his team-mates to lift on his behalf for his 300th AFL appearance - Friday's semi-final with Hawthorn at the MCG.

Goodes will become the first player in VFL/AFL history to reach the milestone inside 13 years.

"It is just another game, I'm just very lucky that it coincides with playing in a final," Goodes told reporters on Monday.

"I think the stakes don't get any higher than what they are.

"I definitely won't be looking for my team-mates to do any extra for me on the weekend.

"I want them and expect them to do it for each other."

The potential injury and suspension clouds hovering over the Swans following last Saturday's win over St Kilda appeared to be dispersing on Monday.

Ruckman Shane Mumford was cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL Match Review panel who decided his contact with St Kilda rival Ben McEvoy was a legitimate attempted spoil.

There was also heartening news on the injury front regarding impressive youngsters Dan Hannebery (shoulder) and Gary Rohan (knee).

Scans cleared speedster Rohan of damage to his right knee.

"It was just a knock and he should be right to play against Hawthorn on Friday night," Swans football manager Dean Moore said of Rohan.

Hannebery, the 2010 Rising Star winner, pulled up well after dislocating his shoulder.

"Dan will be assessed later in the week but we're hopeful he can play against," Moore said.

Goodes doubted his landmark would prove a distraction to his team-mates.

"I think what it will do, the boys will get excited but at the end of the day it's a finals game," Goodes said

He attributed his own brilliant recent form, which has some pundits talking of a third Brownlow Medal, to training and playing smarter.

"I'm 31 and I feel as fit and healthy as some of our 19, 20-year-old kids running around," Goodes said.

"They definitely keep me mentally young anyway.

"Physically I know what to do with my body and I've been able to listen to it for many years and learn from it and give it the rest when I need to and even train harder when I'm feeling good."

He praised Sydney's emerging crop of youngsters for maintaining their form into the finals.

"It's been such a long season but they are still able to play the type of footy that we want them to and it's a hard brand of football that we do ask them," Goodes said.

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