Adam Cooney’s advice to Brendon Goddard as Bomber weighs up his future
AXED Bomber Brendon Goddard has a decision to make: does he retire or move to a third club — or even head back to the Saints? ADAM COONEY says that’s a bad idea, and not for the reasons you might expect.
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YESTERDAY I wrote about the curious case of Brendon Goddard.
Talk about timing. I said he could still offer value to Essendon next year, but the Bombers have decided not to offer him a new contract and put their faith in the exciting kids at Tullamarine.
So, what now for BJ?
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Should he try to play on at 33 or pull the pin? It’s not an easy decision.
He is still finding plenty of the footy, he’s loud on the field and helps set up Essendon’s structure behind the ball. They are things that could be valuable next year or at a struggling, developing side in need of on-field leaders.
Carlton, Gold Coast and St Kilda all fit that bill.
If he thinks he can get more opportunities to extend his career to a third club it could open the door for a Brett Montgomery-type scenario (he was at the Dogs, went to Port Adelaide then back to the Bulldogs to finish his career) where he ends up back at Moorabbin. The Saints have a clear vacuum of senior leaders and good decision-makers coming out of their back half.
No doubt his No.1 preference would have been to stay at Essendon. He was comfortable there, they know his body, the players (most of them!) know and accept his fiery nature, and they are closer to a flag than those clubs mentioned.
If he decides to move on from Essendon he is effectively kissing his premiership aspirations goodbye. No offence to the Blues, Suns and Saints, but I don’t think they are off to the big dance in 2019.
So he needs to work out if he’s in it for the right reasons — to help kids improve or just to play footy?
Luke Hodge found himself in this position 12 months ago. I suspect it was an easy choice for Hodgey to extend his career at the Lions, given the four flags and two Norms in his back pocket. He rests easy at night knowing he’s been to the summit of Everest and now can play a role in developing and fast-tracking careers at Brisbane without the nagging twinge in the back of his mind, eating away that he needs ultimate glory.
BJ has been to camp four, the death zone, but has never reached the summit. No doubt that is still heartbreaking for him and what drives him as a player.
I think a move to a developing club at this point in his career could be counter-productive and too frustrating for a man so driven by the ultimate success that it could come crashing down knowing he’s playing, in reality for no prize at the end of it all.
The signs age is catching up with Goddard are there to see, particularly at stages on Friday night against the reigning premier. Missing a couple of risky kicks that he would normally pinpoint to a teammate, the odd ground-ball fumble, opponents leading up and using the ball through him to exploit a lack of speed, and a first instinct action from BJ to drop off to help out deep in defence.
This happens to all of us as we get on in our careers (trust me, I know!). The toll on the body after 16 years of AFL will do that. It’s natural.
The is a lot of interest in the future of Godz9 (more than any other senior player I can remember in fact). I suspect it is because he polarises opinion, throws the odd tantrum and pretzel. And now the rumour mill will spin on where he could end up in 2019.
If you’re reading this Brendon, my tip is to hang up the boots. You’re a passionate guy who won’t find it easy to let go, but retirement isn’t as bad as you think.
It’s a tough pill to swallow at the moment but a whole new world awaits. No more Lite n’ Easy meals to keep the skinfolds low, food and beverage the likes of which you have never experienced!
Less stress on the receding hairline and a new job in the media means you still get to stay involved in the industry.
Trust me, it’s a lot easier to talk about footy than play it. Soon you’ll be writing articles about old players’ time being up, just like me.
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