Goodes was speaking at the team's Coogee recovery session on Sunday morning, which followed a convincing 69-point victory over Port Adelaide at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
"I've been able to play this first practice match which is even, three or four weeks ahead of where I've been in previous years," Goodes said.
Having missed out on a co-captaincy role to team mate Craig Bolton, the dual Brownlow medallist says he's not disappointed.
"There's room for improvement for me. If you're not ready to captain I don't think you should be thrown in. I've got some areas I'd like to improve on this year. Like Roosy (Paul Roos) says, Kirky (Brett) and Leo (Barry) are getting on a little bit and if it's this year or next year or the year after then so be it."
Goodes praised the performances of his young team mates, several of whom are pushing for home and away season starting spots.
"Craig Bird, you've seen how well he's played the last few weeks, he's been fantastic... these young guys are getting an opportunity which is great and I think they need to take it with two hands and keep improving and keep showing us senior boys when we come and watch them play that they want to play our brand of football...Heath Grundy played well down there [in the forward line], I thought when Hally was off he played a vital role."
While Goodes says a renewed "hunger" will be key this year, he's got some areas of his game which he'd like to develop further.
"With the midfield we're going to be having a lot more rotations so I need to be taking a lot more marks up forward. So that's something I need to improve on. It was good to take a few contested marks last night. I've been working on it a little bit in the off season so if I can take a few marks and kick a few goals that would be one area I'd like to improve on this year."
