Adam Goodes' brother back in AFL mix

Brett Goodes, brother of superstar Swan Adam Goodes, will make his AFL debut for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

BRETT Goodes is the accidental footballer.

Even his biggest fan - dual Brownlow medallist and older brother Adam Goodes - thought his dream of playing AFL was over three years ago.

"The dream was probably over when he decided to take a position in Darwin," Adam said. "That was a big decision for Brett - does he stay in Ballarat or get his career going and put footy on the backburner?"

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Brett chose to leave VFL side North Ballarat, where he won back-to-back premierships in 2008-09, and move to Darwin to play for the Thunder and work for the AFL in their indigenous programs.

But fate would intervene soon after when the Western Bulldogs head-hunted Brett to work as their player development officer.

Brett returned to the VFL where he continued to impress while playing at Williamstown.

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Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney liked what he saw and gave Brett the chance he had been waiting for all of his adult life.

He is set to become one of the oldest players to debut in recent history - if Brett is selected to play in the Bulldogs' opening match against Brisbane next weekend he will be starting his AFL career at the age of 29 years and 41 days.

"I'm really proud of Brett," Adam said. "It's a great story of determination, hard work and not giving up."

While Adam was a bargain at pick 43 in the 1997 national draft, Brett was overlooked because he suffered a serious compartment syndrome injury in both lower legs playing for North Ballarat in the TAC Cup.

Nowadays recruiters pay more attention to mature-age players like Geelong's James Podsiadly, Adelaide's Ian Callinan and Fremantle's Michael Barlow.

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But a decade ago AFL list managers rarely took a second look at players like Brett, who had been passed over in the draft.

The Goodes brothers have never played together or against each other. Earlier this year they missed out playing together for the Indigenous All Stars against Richmond in Alice Springs. Adam was still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the grand final.

They will have to wait until the round 19 clash between the Swans and Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

"That's OK, it gives me plenty of practice and his knee will be right so he'll have no excuses," Brett said. "I'd love being out there with him."

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