Brendon Goddard admits his future is unclear but is determined not to waste his time in the AFL

I HAVE seen some players struggle with life after football and I’ve seen former colleagues deal with it exceptionally well. If I’m honest with myself, my playing future is unclear at this time, I don’t have the security I used to. I have to plan around that.

Brendon Goddard is considering his future after football.

I’M OBVIOUSLY closer to the end of my football career than I am to the start.

No one is exempt from getting old, and retirement is something most footballers will have to face.

I’ll be honest, my playing future is unclear at this time.

I have no games clause or triggers in this year’s contract — the little bit of security I had in previous years.

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So retirement is something I am thinking about and getting my head around. I must.

I feel the more I try and prepare for it while still playing, the easier the transition should be.

I’ve seen some former teammates deal with it exceptionally well — those who were willing to face up to where they were at a particular time and prepare accordingly.

On the other hand, I have seen some players struggle with life after football.

Brendon Goddard admits he is considering his future. Picture: Michael Klein

There were different reasons, but some struggled because of their lack of preparation, both physically and mentally.

In some ways I’m the last of the Mohicans.

I’ve watched all of my teammates from the early 2000s - the Grant Thomas-led Saints era - retire.

From St Kilda’s picks in the 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 national drafts, I’m the last man standing.

I’m one of four players still on an AFL list from the 2002 national draft — the three others are Daniel Wells pick 2, Jarrad McVeigh pick 5 and Kade Simpson pick 45.

Damn, we are old.

Brendon Goddard in action for St Kilda in 2003.

As the seasons have passed, I’ve learnt to deal with father time and better manage my body and mind during the pre-season, and during the home-and-away season.

It hasn’t been easy as I’ve always had the tendency to do more, go above and beyond what anyone asked me to do.

Some would argue that I was putting myself at a higher risk of injury.

But it’s a personnel trait of mine - a trait I inherited from my parents who never feared hard work.

There was another reason. I quickly saw that at AFL level it was no coincidence that 99 per cent of the most consistent performers and best players were also the hardest, most ruthless trainers at the club.

Robert Harvey, Fraser Gehrig, Aaron Hamill, Andrew Thompson, Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes to name a few.

I still rarely like missing a session.

I know that you need to train consistently to keep up with the demands of the game.

Brendon Goddard shares a laugh at Essendon training.

In saying that, because of my age (33) I do have a little flexibility in my training program and have done for a couple of years.

The younger boys at the club (so everyone) are always giving me a little bit of stick for being on an old man’s program.

And I do get the odd day off when we would otherwise have a half day or a compulsory team recovery session.

Of the actual fitness and skills training program, I now complete 80-90 per cent of every session. For example, if we have a 10km session, I’ll do 8km.

I don’t do upper body weights. I substitute that with a 20-30min boxing session.

I’ve found that the best form of recovery one day after a game, for me, is an active recovery. Which consists of a jog, walk and stretch.

Brendon Goddard and coach John Worsfold. Picture: Mark Dadswell

That’s instead of a regular visit to Port Phillip Bay or the hot/cold baths at our Tullamarine base.

Despite these modifications, I feel my training level and intensity has not wavered.

I still have the mindset of going to the club every day, trying to improve, trying to get fitter and trying to get better with every session I do.

Now the reality is I probably won’t, physically anyway, but it keeps me in the ruthless mindset and gives me the edge I need to keep training at an elite level.

I know my time in football is coming to an end in the next year or two.

There is constant dialogue between John Worsfold, Mark Harvey and myself about how I’m feeling both physically and mentally — but there is nothing said about the bigger picture or next season.

That formal conversation needs to be had between myself, Craig Kelly (my manager), John and the club at the appropriate time — most likely at season’s end.

But for the time being, it’s back to work and looking forward to the rest of season as the Bombers keep trying to improve and bounce back from our slow start to the year.

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