With scores level at half time at the SCG, the Swans faced the possibility of a fifth straight loss. A loss would have jeopardised a season that had started so promisingly with five wins from the first six rounds.
But Goodes said he and the Swans’ leaders delivered some home truths to the group and their renewed commitment in the second half ensured a narrow victory.
“We knew in the first half that a few of our players - myself definitely included - were just letting the team down with their effort,” he said.
“I said to the boys at half time that we needed those blokes - myself and other blokes who weren’t committing their bodies and giving that extra effort for the team -to lift in that second half.
“Everyone lifted and played their roles and that resulted in us getting the victory.”
Goodes, who has struggled to produce his best form in recent weeks, said his two second-half goals illustrated the importance of a four-quarter effort.
He managed just eight possessions, three marks and one behind to half time as Tayte Pears and David Myers curbed his influence but he refused to throw in the towel.
“Even if you’re having a dog of a day for three quarters, we need everyone in this team to win and that’s just the reality of it,” he said.
“You can be having a shocking day for a half of footy or whatever it might be, but you’ve got to keep just getting to the contests and working for your teammates because you don’t want to let them down.
“I really wanted in that second half to lift my effort, lift my intensity and I was lucky enough to be in the right spot to get a few goals.”
With a round 12 clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next week followed by the mid-season break, Goodes said it was vital that the team maintained its form before regaining senior players Tadhg Kennelly, Daniel Bradshaw and Craig Bolton in the second half of the season.
In the meantime, he said the Swans’ travails of the past month would stand youngsters Gary Rohan, Dan Hannebery and Lewis Jetta in good stead.
“I know last week when we lost, it shattered the group and to bounce back and win a close game like this is really character-building for the group and testament to all the individuals in the team,” he said.
“A lot of players are coming in at the moment and playing a role for the team, and that’s what we want. With Tadhg and Braddy coming back in the next couple of weeks, that’s just a huge bonus for us.
“Those guys in the team at the moment have got a real opportunity to keep playing well, keep playing their role and it would be really good to have that depth again like we did in the first five rounds.”
