Adam Goodes’s war dance was a ‘special moment in this country’ says Michael O’Loughlin

MICHAEL O’Loughlin hails Adam Goodes’s controversial Indigenous celebration at the SCG as a “very special moment in this country”.

Adam Goodes (L) and former teammate Michael O'Loughlin at Sydney Swans AFL team training session at the SCG in Sydney. Goode...

MICHAEL O’Loughlin, a long-time teammate of Adam Goodes at Sydney, has hailed his Indigenous celebration at the SCG on Friday night as a “very special moment in this country”.

Like Goodes, O’Loughlin is seen as a leader in Australia’s Indigenous community and today is head of Sydney’s Academy after a glowing 303-game career between 1995-2009.

He was at the SCG when Goodes broke into a dance during the second quarter, a moment that brought a wide and proud smile to his 38-year-old face.

“I loved it and I’m very happy to note the support and love that he has got from the community has been good, even if there is some back-lash from people who don’t understand.

“They can be scared by it, thinking it is some kind of racial stance,” said O’Loughlin.

“I know Adam very well and he wasn’t doing it for that reason. It was done as a tribute to the Boomerangs (a development program for Indigenous youth run by the AFL) and all those young boys across Australia would have been absolutely rapt watching that on their televisions.

Adam Goodes celebrates a goal with Dan Hannebery.

“It was a very special moment in this country. The only problem is Adam can’t dance to save himself but I would give him 10 out 10 for effort.”

O’Loughlin and Goodes first met in 1999 when Goodes arrived at the Sydney Swans as a shy teenager.

“I love him as a person and to see the man he has become since we first met is a tribute to him,” O’Loughlin said.

“I love what he stands for and believes in. He is all about helping others and helping out people. It’s just another example of him putting his hand up as he does all the time.”