Sydney champion Adam Goodes is willing to play on next season and take a substantial pay cut to lessen the Swans’ salary cap pain.
Not quite ready to join the list of ailing greats to have already announced their retirements in recent weeks, Goodes says he’ll kick on into 2015 should he maintain AFL-level form, according to News Ltd.
While it seems inevitable the Swans would welcome back the two-time premiership player for a final season, most relevant is Goodes’ reported willingness to take a big pay cut from his $650,000 a year salary in order to ensure the club is able to meet AFL salary cap restrictions.
Sydney is already feeling the financial pinch with big forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett commanding a serious chunk of the of the league’s $10,000,000 cap. It won’t get any easier next season with Nick Malceski, Mike Pyke and Craig Bird all in need of new deals
The Sydney playing group are confident of the 34-year-old Goodes returning for a 16th season.
“I think so, he showed that by the way he is playing,” fellow veteran Jarrad McVeigh told Channel Seven’s AFL Game Day earlier in the week when asked if Goodes should return in 2015.
“He has created another role for himself as that third tall forward – he is very good on ground level as well.
“His finishing has been excellent this season, he has had a lot of three-goal efforts
“I would assume he would play on again.
“He is a super player for our footy club and as long as he can contribute we would love to keep him in the side.”
Star midfielder Kieran Jack echoed a similar stance.
“I’d expect him to go on next year,” Jack said.
“The only thing that will stop him is his body but he will decide that at the end of the year.”
Goodes has played 342 games for the Swans, is a four-time All-Australian and 2014’s Australian of the Year.
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
