After 15 years at the club, Goodes announced prior to Saturday’s game that it would be his last for the Swifts. 

The 36-year-old made the decision to retire during the week after years of contemplating. “I have been thinking about it for the last three years,” Goodes said.

“It was hard to bring myself to make the decision out loud but once I did there was a bit of pressure relieved. I think the timing is right.”

Goodes ran out for his final match with his children in his arms and was carried off the ground at the end of the game by Swifts coach Scott Carey and brother Brett Goodes.

“Running out with the kids was amazing – it was definitely an emotional moment,” he said.

“Once we started playing you forget that stuff and just focus on the job at hand.”

Goodes played the first three quarters of the game against Taylors Lake on the wing but was thrown forward in the final term. He managed to boot three goals in a big win for the Baggies.

“Our boys really picked up a bit in the final quarter,” Scott Carey said. 

“We put Jake Goodes down forward in the final quarter to spring everyone to life a bit. It couldn’t have been a better outcome for him. 

“He kicked three goals in the last quarter and each one of them everyone celebrated with him. It was well deserved for an excellent career.”

Goodes said it meant a lot for his teammates to “look after him” in his final game.

“I’ve probably never kicked three goals in a quarter before so to do it in my last game is pretty funny – it was a bit like schoolyard footy,” he said.

“Everyone ran from everywhere when I kicked them. The respect shown from the boys was great.”​