Self-relegated Sydney great Adam Goodes says he'll take as many games as he needs in the Swans' reserves to make his case for AFL re-selection, after a solid three-goal showing in the NEAFL on Saturday.
Goodes, who has played under an hour of AFL over the Swans' first two rounds this season, ran out the full 100 minutes against the University of Western Sydney Giants in the second-tier competition at Sydney's Lakeside Oval.
"Just to get some minutes under my belt (was good)," Goodes said.
"I haven't really got a lot in the last month. So it's good to run out here on this deck, play some good minutes and support the boys this arvo."
In his first reserves game of his illustrious 17-season AFL career, the dual Brownlow medallist looked comfortable and moved well in the midfield despite his side losing by 63 points to a slicker Giants outfit.
Goodes made the first touch of play and added over 20 more throughout the match.
But he really came into his own in the fourth term, kicking three goals and setting up another to show critics it might be unwise to write the veteran off prematurely.
Goodes volunteered to be dropped this weekend rather than sit on the bench again for the Swans' anticipated Sydney derby against the GWS Giants at the SCG.
The 35-year-old played just 15 frustrating minutes of game time as a sub last weekend against Port Adelaide, with Longmire this week mooting a diminished role for the veteran but also saying he'll still play a part in Sydney's premiership push.
His quiet start to the 2015 season has led to comments from critics - including two-time premiership-winning teammate Jude Bolton - that the utility may have played one season too many.
Goodes said he was willing to take as many weeks as needed to regain the form and fitness coach John Longmire requires for the first 21.
"If I'm ready to play my role next week so be it," he said.
"(But) we're obviously in really good form in the ones, we've got some real good players playing some good roles, so if it takes two to three weeks so be it.
"I want to play a role for the team, and I think playing the sub today doesn't put my plan in the next month of playing in the 21 into good effect.
"Get some good minutes in this week, see what happens, see what it looks like on the tape. If I need to go again next week we'll decide during the week."
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