I remember the first time I saw him play. It was the TAC Cup Grand Final of 1997 and he dominated with six goals helping North Ballarat to win the premiership against the favoured Dandenong Stingrays. All eyes in that game were on a member of the losing team who was later drafted to Melbourne with the first pick in the draft later that year. Travis Johnstone showed flashes during his career while Adam Goodes (picked at 43 for the Swans) personified greatness both on an off the field. Two premierships, two Brownlow Medals, four times All Australian, Indigenous Team of the Century and now Australian of the Year and not just for his achievements in football - AFL footballer and anti-racism campaigner Adam Goodes named Australian of the Year

I remember at the time he was drafted, reading about how his mother had singlehandedly raised Adam and his two brothers. She must be proud of him. We should all be proud of Adam Goodes on this day.

I remember the first time I saw him play. It was the TAC Cup Grand Final of 1997 and he dominated with six goals helping North Ballarat to win the premiership against the favoured Dandenong Stingrays. All eyes in that game were on a member of the losing team who was later drafted to Melbourne with the first pick in the draft later that year. Travis Johnstone showed flashes during his career while Adam Goodes (picked at 43 for the Swans) personified greatness both on an off the field. Two premierships, two Brownlow Medals, four times All Australian, Indigenous Team of the Century and now Australian of the Year and not just for his achievements in football - AFL footballer and anti-racism campaigner Adam Goodes named Australian of the Year

I remember at the time he was drafted, reading about how his mother had singlehandedly raised Adam and his two brothers. She must be proud of him. We should all be proud of Adam Goodes on this day.

I was also at that game with my son and watched him play. We both said he was the player we wanted to draft. I must admit that I didn't realise that we would be caught by the one 17 year old per club rule and that as Travis and Adam were both 17 year olds we lost any hope of getting him when we drafted Travis.

Oh hindsight , where were you when we needed you?

Horsham boy from a single parent family becoming Australian of the year. Wonderful achievement and, for mine, a clear example where the individual has transcended the sport.

Congratulations to Adam and all those also nominated. Inspirational people.

Yes, his magnificent role in pointing out and highlighting a thirteen year old girl on national television for saying something stupid was both brave and fearless.

Yes, his magnificent role in pointing out and highlighting a thirteen year old girl on national television for saying something stupid was both brave and fearless.

"Ignorance is bliss for the ignorant, but for the rest of us it's a pain in the f%#*ing arse."

Yes, his magnificent role in pointing out and highlighting a thirteen year old girl on national television for saying something stupid was both brave and fearless.

Yeah I'm not sold on Goodes either.

Even still though, someone has to get Australian of the year.

In retrospect, I probably would have gone for Redfoo.

I'm not against it, in fact I don't really care that much, the award has almost always been given to sports people or celebrities so in my eyes it doesn't hold much value. But I thought that 'over the top' reaction from Goodes which effectively left a 13 y/o exposed to a national media circus hell bent on destroying her character which far outweighed the crime. Both Dale Thomas and Buddy Franklin did similar actions without the over the top 'showmanship', it just smacked of attention seeking. Goodes does no more than what many other Footballers and sportspeople get paid to do, excellent community work around the country.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Australia...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-08/cancer-protein-breakthrough-prompts-drug-development/5190502

"Racism has a face and it's a 13 year old girl".

Yeah, sure.

In retrospect, I probably would have gone for Redfoo.

These awards are always politically based so there is always someone more worthy.

But life is not fair so why stress about such things.

Goodes appears to be a nice guy (hope he does not become another Hird) and racism is an issue that few want to talk about. Although he does plays for the Club that now hates us, but I can forgive him for that as not everyone can play for the MFC LOL

Edited January 25, 201411 yr by DemonFrog

Individual awards vs work for the community.

Better recipients out there.

Just an AFL footballer.

I'm not against it, in fact I don't really care that much, the award has almost always been given to sports people or celebrities so in my eyes it doesn't hold much value. But I thought that 'over the top' reaction from Goodes which effectively left a 13 y/o exposed to a national media circus hell bent on destroying her character which far outweighed the crime. Both Dale Thomas and Buddy Franklin did similar actions without the over the top 'showmanship', it just smacked of attention seeking. Goodes does no more than what many other Footballers and sportspeople get paid to do, excellent community work around the country.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Australia...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-08/cancer-protein-breakthrough-prompts-drug-development/5190502

Yeehaw...

Adam Goodes and other indigenous leaders are a beacon of light for young indigenous people.

Great choice, legend of the game and a man of integrity. we need blokes like him. He has achieved, he can communicate and considering some of the crap he has had thrown at him he has been fairly gracious.

You can throw money at reconciliation and parity but people like Goodes get us closer than any $.

I have 2 indigenous foster kids and seeing indigenous people achieving and being recognised has a major impact.

Adam Goodes and other indigenous leaders are a beacon of light for young indigenous people.

Great choice, legend of the game and a man of integrity. we need blokes like him. .

Seeing as almost half the panel who decide the Aust. of the Year hold significant positions in race related industries was it ever going to be anyone else?

Interesting to know whether this award will affect the way in which he approaches the game.

Most sports people who've received this award previously have already retired from their sport.

Surely he'll now have to be a lot more cautious before mouthing off at some annoying tagger during the heat of the contest - might otherwise look a little undignified if he fails to pull the punches.

I like Goodes. Even though he's achieved a lot as a sportsman, I'm not convinced he's done more to deserve the award than some other less high profile people in the country just yet, although the arguments put forward by Jabberwocky are compelling.

That said, he's certainly a much more inspired choice for Aussie of the Year than Mark Taylor, which IMO represented an anti intellectual low point in this nation's history.

That said, he's certainly a much more inspired choice for Aussie of the Year than Mark Taylor, which IMO represented an anti intellectual low point in this nation's history.

Tim Flannery took the cake.

I always thought Steve Vizard as father of the year was a watershed moment.

I always thought Steve Vizard as father of the year was a watershed moment.

The Tax Cheat?

sometimes I think we bend over backwards to, look after minorities, it's a feel good gesture I reckon born of lingering guilt over the past 200 years of white settlement and something we need to get over, good luck to him but I think it says more about a cultural cringe.....is King Kong still running?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome

I always thought Steve Vizard as father of the year was a watershed moment.

nearly matched bob hawke's FOTY

I prefer recipients such as Fiona Wood, Ian Frazer and Fred Hollows.

I prefer recipients such as Fiona Wood, Ian Frazer and Fred Hollows.

All worthy recipients who reached the pinnacle of their respective fields.

I say this with all respect, all white, all from privileged backgrounds, all took every opportunity placed before them.

Relative to the position that Goodes has come from he is as worthy.

We can't pick white doctors and scientists every year.

All worthy recipients who reached the pinnacle of their respective fields.

I say this with all respect, all white, all from privileged backgrounds, all took every opportunity placed before them.

Relative to the position that Goodes has come from he is as worthy.

We can't pick white doctors and scientists every year.

What has the colour of someone skin got to do with anything.

Its about the person not their race.

I bet your going to argue next this is positive racism.

But the reality is you just a racist.