Adam Goodes rises to the occasion to help Sydney to victory - Herald Sun

Sydney champion Adam Goodes thanks the crowd for the support after the Swans win over Essendon. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

IN a match where Adam Goodes could have been forgiven for taking the night off, he did what he has done so often in his 329-game career - he helped the Swans to a win.

Four goals and 15 disposals don't begin to tell the story of his contribution to the victory.

In the lead-up to the match neither his teammates or coach knew until the day before the game if he was playing after he was racially vilified twice in the past week.

The goodwill towards the dual Brownlow medallist was plain to see, particularly as the Swans faithful cheered every time he touched the ball.

Quiet in the opening quarter with just three touches, Goodes brought the 29,792 crowd who braved the rain to their feet late in the second quarter with two pieces of inspired play.

Goodes stars in Swans win

The first was an 80m sprint to lay a crunching tackle, and the second was a vital goal from a mark to give the Swans a handy 18-point lead at halftime.

After the long break he booted the Swans' first goal of the third term to keep their noses in front.

His third came minutes later as the home side stretched its lead to 36 points.

Essendon fought back, but Goodes' fourth goal was the sealer.

Sydney coach John Longmire addresses the media after his side comfortably defeated Essendon 115-71.

After the game, coach John Longmire spoke of his player's traumatic week.

"Everyone thinks he's bulletproof. He's not," Longmire said.

"I thought he was able to come to the footy club this week and use it to get away from a lot of things.

"It's why footy clubs are so important, for their support networks."

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said: "It was tough to see him go through that.

"From here, we'll all forget about it, but it will still be with him.

"We have to continue to support Goodesey throughout the rest of his career and we will do that."

Midfield dynamo Josh Kennedy said Goodes' performance was amazing given the circumstances.

"I can't imagine what it must have been like for Goodesy," Kennedy said.

"He's just shown how much of a class act he is by the way he's gone about it.

After one of the most difficult weeks of his life, Sydney Swans superstar Adam goodes kicked four goals to lead his side to a 115-71 victory over Essendon.

"He's played a lot of footy and he knows how to handle himself and I guess the rest of us follow his lead."

Essendon coach James Hird said: "We weren't waiting for him to explode. We were hoping he wouldn't.

"Whenever he goes near the ball, he looks like he's going to get it. He's a great of the game."