The two-time Brownlow Medallist, who has become accustomed to success with the Swans, punctuated by their 2005 premiership, felt their new-look list was making good strides in 2011.
But, following a 15.16 (106) to 8.12 (60) loss to the Hawks, Goodes cut a deflated figure post-match and was pointing the finger of blame squarely at himself and his fellow leaders.
The likes of Goodes, Jude Bolton, Jarrad McVeigh and Ryan O’Keefe had all had solid starts to the new season to help the Swans sit inside the top eight heading into the Hawthorn game.
Afterwards, however, Goodes felt they hadn’t shown the leadership required against a team like the Hawks, particularly when the visitors piled on goals in quick succession.
“You’re really looking for individuals to make a stand and it comes down to leaders saying ‘enough’s enough here, we’ve got to do something collectively as a leadership group’, and that didn’t happen,” Goodes said.
“The leaders have been the ones that have stepped up [this season], but today we didn’t do that and it’s something we have to take responsibility for.”
Another growing issue for the Swans is their form at home.
They normally get a significant advantage from their ability to perform well on the tight confines of the SCG, but have now lost three of their four matches at the ground this season.
They are on the road for the next two weeks before taking on Richmond back in Sydney.
“We’ll review it tomorrow and try to move on, but guys really need to look at their individual effort and try to improve next week,” Goodes said.
“We’re 1-3 now [at the SCG] and teams are going to feel it’s not really a fortress up here anymore.
“We’ve got to play to our strengths - tackling, contested ball - today it was non-existent.”
