Goodes to miss Crows game
AFL, Swans slam unacceptable boos

- Read the AFL's statement on Adam Goodes
- Cook calls on Cats fans to stop the booing

SOME of the game's leading players have been involved in talks about potentially staging in-game shows of solidarity for Adam Goodes, as the two-time Brownlow medallist considers his immediate future in the game.  

A collection of players, including some of the game's heavyweights, met with the AFLPA on Tuesday night as part of the Players and the Game group in Melbourne.

Before they weighed into issues such as concussion, dangerous tackles and the sub rule, discussion turned to Goodes and the impact the incessant booing is having on the Swans and their champion.

The 365-game veteran will not face Adelaide on Saturday at the SCG. 

There have also been reports he is considering walking away altogether, and Goodes has gone to ground after Sunday's fan reaction in Perth.

Tuesday night's group of players, which featured a representative from every club bar Gold Coast (which had a club function) discussed their options for getting behind Goodes.

With the Swans to play at home this week, they discussed whether a collective show of support may be best placed next week, as the Swans prepared to head to Geelong to face the Cats.  

Other options include in-game displays across the round, and the potential use of social media to emphasise how the players are united in their belief that the current treatment of Goodes has to end.

The likes of Scott Pendlebury, Sam Mitchell, Drew Petrie, Jack Riewoldt, Brendon Goddard and Steve Johnson were present, while Nat Fyfe, Tom Rockliff, Phil Davis, Luke Shuey, Rory Sloane and Alipate Carlile joined the meeting by phone. 

Two of Goodes' teammates – Dan Hannebery and Mike Pyke – were also involved 

Carlton's delegate Sam Docherty, who replaced the now-retired Chris Judd in the group, said no decisions had been made on how the players would demonstrate enough was enough.

But he was firm that the behaviour towards Goodes simply had to change.   

"We had a meeting about it last night - it's really taking a massive effect on him.

"I know if it was happening to me it would have a massive effect on me, and whether people think it mightn't be racist or whether they think it's racist is really beside the point now.

"It just needs to stop."

Goodes has taken time off this week to deal with the latest reaction from another crop of fans, and will not face Adelaide on Saturday at the SCG.

Docherty said the Blues were united in their belief it wasn't how the 35-year-old should be treated, and people should consider the effect it was having on Goodes as a person.

"It's up to the individual but as a whole playing group, it's becoming really harsh on Goodesy himself - whether it was intentionally supposed to be racist to begin with, it's certainly coming across that way now," he said.

"He's taking time off, so whatever the intention of the booing was to begin with, whether they (fans) didn't like him as a player, I'd love to see it stop - more for the fact it's really starting to get to someone.

"He's a champion of our game, he's won a couple of Brownlows, he's played in premierships and over 300 games. 

"I just don't think that's a way we want to see out one of our stars. 

"I know it's very hard to change the public perception, and coming from a players' point I'd personally just love to see it stop, and celebrate a champion of our game."