Brendon Goddard open to offers at third AFL club

BRENDON Goddard is returning from a family holiday this week and will consider offers at a third club if someone believes he can fit their needs next season.

Brendon Goddard and wife Rosie at the Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein

BRENDON Goddard is returning from a family holiday this week open to offers at a third club if someone believes he can fit their needs next season.

The 33-year-old was shocked to be delisted by Essendon after Round 22, eventually notching a 10th-placed finish in the Crichton Medal and finishing the year with a sparkling 27-possession game against Port Adelaide.

Goddard finished in the top 10 of the Essendon best-and-fairest in every one of his six seasons and has a remarkable level of durability, playing 20 or more games in the past 11 seasons.

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His manager Craig Kelly told the Herald Sun Goddard was open to all possibilities, including playing on.

He returns this week from an extended holiday in Bali and the Maldives, aware there might not be a role for him at a clubin contention.

“If clubs see a spot or role for him then we will discuss and then he can weigh up the option,” Kelly said.

“He really wanted to take his time prior to making a long-term call and do it post some times with his family.”

Brendon Goddard was delisted by the Bombers before finishing in the best-and-fairest top 10. Picture: AAP

He said Goddard had an “open and relaxed” attitude to the next stage of his life and the challenges ahead.

Goddard had initially conceded he was rocked to be told he would not be offered a new contract, with Essendon’s eventual recruitment of Dylan Shiel taking up significant salary cap space.

Under new AFL rookie rules a club could secure a player like Goddard up until March 15 if they lost a player to injury overthe pre-season.

But while delisted players planning on moving to state league clubs would be a perfect position to get a new start, a playerlike Goddard considering retirement would need to keep fit on the off chance of a key injury to a veteran player.

Goddard enjoyed an excellent season despite continued criticism of his role, amassing an elite 22.3 possessions and 17.2 uncontestedpossessions.

Goddard is chaired off the ground after playing his final match for Essendon. Picture: AAP

John Worsfold has always fiercely defended Goddard’s passion for the club and role as an outside player and loose defender, saying he executes the role given to him by the coaching panel.

Carlton’s Sam Docherty ruptured his ACL on November 14 last year, with clubs now able to replace long-term injured playersup until March 15.

Goddard said after his final game he was getting his head around retirement but not ready to make a final call.

“I’m keeping the door ajar, don’t get me wrong. But as time goes on and the more I think about it, maybe it is time,’’ hesaid.

“I had been feeling really good. That’s probably the hardest pill to swallow is that I don’t feel like I’m ready, but I’malmost getting told by someone else that nah, nah, we’ll make the decision for you and your time’s done, that sort of thing.”