Goodes back and looks set for big Cats encounter

Though unwilling to comment about the timing of a statement from the AFL’s ultimate boss on the subject – Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick was mute on the matter publicly until Monday – McLachlan said the game had come a long way in a intensely scrutinised week.

The AFL community united in its support for Adam Goodes with a slew of on- and off-field gestures in round 18.

Goodes described his return to training as feeling like “the first day back at school”.

He will be available for Saturday’s away clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

The AFL will also hold a breakfast in Melbourne on Tuesday to mark the league’s multicultural round.

A week ago, McLachlan was initially cautious when asked if racism was involved.

Goodes took a leave of absence from the Swans as he dealt with the continued booing from opposition supporters.

Other highlights of round 23 will be Geelong hosting Adelaide – a game that could determine which of the two teams makes the top eight – and Port Adelaide’s home match against the Dockers.

“What’s happened over the course of the week is that everyone has played their role”, McLachlan said on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified. Compassion has won out against bigotry, and we’ve all avoided losing one of our best sportspeople for no good reason at all.

“I think those discussions needed to be had”, Goodes said.

The move drew attention to the racist undertones that still exist in Australian sport and life, and created a nationwide discussion about Indigenous issues.

Harley, a two-time premiership-winning captain for Geelong, said he was confident the crowd would be welcoming to the Swans and Goodes.

The AFL boss said there were concerns last week that Goodes might not play again.

“I felt very loved over the weekend”.

Adam Goodes has the unanimous support of the AFL Commission and when I attend the game in Geelong this week, I hope to see this great champion of our game back on the field where he belongs.

That would reflect sharply-divided opinions nationally on the Goodes issue.

“I’m not going to talk, obviously, about commission meetings”, McLachlan said.

Longmire said that his conversation with Goodes was all about the present and short-term future, and that his playing career beyond this season was never discussed.

“The football world rose to the occasion last weekend and the AFL is proud of the way our clubs and supporters showed their strong support for Adam Goodes“, he said.