Brendon Goddard excited to experience ‘home’ crowd at Adelaide Oval in International Rules series

BRENDON Goddard will play in his fourth International Rules series against Ireland next month, with the Essendon veteran revealing why playing the hybrid game, that some criticise, is such an honour.

Brendon Goddard will play in the International Rules series against Ireland next month. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

BRENDON Goddard has in 18 AFL visits to Football Park and Adelaide Oval as a Saint or Bomber never expected — and rarely drawn — a cheer from the locals.

He looks forward to this changing next month when he represents Australia.

“It would be a change,” said Goddard, the veteran of the 17-man Australian squad to play Ireland in the International Rules series starting at Adelaide Oval on Sunday November 12.

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Goddard, 32, took up his selection for his fourth series — after touring Ireland in 2006 and 2015 and playing in the home series in 2014 — with greater eagerness on seeing the Oval in the travel schedule.

“It was the one thing that stood out,” Goddard said. “Adelaide Oval, arguably, has the best atmosphere in the AFL when there is a full house. And it is hostile when you are there as a visiting team.

“So it is an attractive thought — 50,000 at Adelaide Oval cheering for you.”

Goddard did not need much enticing to be drawn back to the Australian team to win back the Cormac McAnallen Trophy left with the Irish after the one-off Test at Croke Park in Dublin in 2015.

Brendon Goddard will play in the International Rules series against Ireland next month. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“I’ve always loved the concept of representing our country,” said Goddard, who has framed his first Australian jumper from the 2006 tour of Ireland. He has his other Australian guernseys in safe storage to be mounted on his retirement.

“That jumper means so much to me with the Australian coat of arms on it. A lot of people will gloss over — and even criticise — what we are doing because it is a hybrid game (of Australian football and Gaelic football).

“But the fact we are representing Australia — more so than the AFL — means we will have a serious dip because we do not take this honour lightly.”

The hybrid game has the AFL players concede the Sherrin for a round ball that has proved to be most challenging.

“People always ask what it is like to play with the round ball and expect it is like a soccer ball,” Goddard said. “But it isn’t. The ball has a rubbery texture. It is heavier. And it does not float. The spin (from a kick) is exaggerated. So it is tougher to hit a target.

“The ball is the Irish advantage.”

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury will be among the big names playing. Picture: Getty

The Australians benefit from taking a more physical approach from their AFL game, in particular with tackling.

“But we can’t abuse that physical game,” Goddard said. “The Irish proved last time that their superior skill with the ball was the biggest advantage we were not going to overcome by being physical.”

As a pointer as to what might come in Goddard’s post-playing career, the Bombers veteran is again keen to learn from the Australian coaching panel of Chris Scott (Geelong) and his assistants Brad Scott (North Melbourne) and Ross Lyon (Fremantle).

“The opportunity to learn from their coaching philosophies and their football beliefs is something I appreciate,” Goddard said.

Adelaide will host the first of two Tests. The second will be played as the AFL’s farewell to Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday November 18.

Tickets are available at $25 with a family pass at $50.