Goodes gets warm SCG reception

Adam Goodes has got a stirring reception from Sydney AFL fans on a lap of honour with former Swans' teammate Mike Pyke at halftime of the Sydney derby,

Former Sydney Swans players Mike Pyke and Adam Goodes

Adam Goodes has got a rousing reception from Sydney AFL fans on a lap of honour at the Sydney derby. (AAP)

This time there were only cheers for Adam Goodes.

Sydney's all- time games record holder got a rousing reception on Saturday, as the Swans supporters finally got the chance to give him the thanks they were denied, when he announced his retirement after last season's semi-final loss.

Goodes and ruckman Mike Pyke were acclaimed by the SCG crowd at halftime of the ninth Sydney derby between the Swans and Giants.

The boos for Goodes that marred so many games in his final season seemed a distant memory.

As the pair completed their lap of honour the chant of `Goodesy' reverberated around the famous old venue.

Goodes shook the hand of former teammate Barry Hall, who now works on television.

Pyke and Goodes could hardly have come from more different sporting and cultural backgrounds,

Goodes the proud indigenous warrior who started off playing soccer; Pyke the former Canadian Test rugby back, who scored a long distance try against the mighty All Blacks, before chancing his arm at Australian rules.

Pyke was joined on the walk by his two young children, one of whom he carried, as they walked around the SCG to the strains of Aloe Blacc's "The Man".

Among the spectators at the SCG on Saturday was AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, who earlier in the week Goodes credited with helping him get closure on the turbulent final season of his career.


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Source: AAP



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