Knee will be Goodes to go

Sydney Swans captain Adam Goodes is on the comeback trail from a knee injury and is confident of being fit for Round 1. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph

SWANS captain Adam Goodes admits he is underdone after a pre-season dominated by rehabilitation on an injured knee, but remains confident of being ready for the season opener in March.

Goodes said he would do whatever it takes to be ready for the Round 1 clash with GWS at ANZ Stadium.

The dual Brownlow medallist, who turned 33 last week, partially tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sydney's epic grand final win.

Goodes was unable to do any serious training until eight weeks after their premiership celebrations. He will not return to full training with teammates for another five weeks as he continues to ramp up his rehabilitation.

"No pain. No swelling. Nothing to worry about. Just got to get back to the fitness that everyone else is at," Goodes said.

"Every year offers different challenges. Coming back with a premiership medallion makes you feel pretty good about having a sore knee.

"I've been around footy for 15 years. You have to deal with a lot of different things throughout pre-season and you know what you have to do to get yourself right for Round 1.

"I know what I have to do to be ready before we play GWS. There's no worries about am I going to be fit enough.

"It's feeling good. I'm very comfortable. I'm looking forward to getting back to training with the rest of the crew in a couple of weeks."

Summer Barometer: Swans' injury and training latest

Goodes has spent the pre-season in the rehab group alongside defender Martin Mattner (hip), speedster Gary Rohan (leg), midfielder Nick Smith (knee), promising talent Tom Mitchell (knee), grand final hard luck story Ben McGlynn (hamstring) and full-back Ted Richards (ankle).

While his straight-line running has been promising, Goodes has been reduced to limited agility work and direction changing.

His average session has involved running for half an hour, an hour on the cross-trainer in the gym followed by a 1.5km swim.

Goodes will be among 20 big names at the Cadbury Super Team Family Day at Skoda Stadium on Australia Day. He will run a clinic and scratch match with his fellow AFL stars on the day, which is being held in western Sydney for the second year in a row after a Quakers Hill resident won a promotion to have the event hosted in their home town.
 

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