Goodwin has played 268 games for the Crows since debuting in 1997, with his career achievements including the club's two premierships [1997 and 1998], three best and fairest awards and All-Australian selection on five occasions.
The 33-year-old was offered a one-year contract extension after winning his fourth All-Australian guernsey last season and has been a consistent player in Adelaide’s disappointing start to 2010.
He is arguably the best performed of the club’s veteran ‘fab four’ this season, which also includes Tyson Edwards, Andrew McLeod and Brett Burton, but started contemplating retirement four weeks ago.
On Tuesday, Goodwin said he wanted to go out with a little bit left in him.
“The game ultimately is getting quicker and faster and I’m getting older and slower and it’s going to cross paths at some stage. I had a long chat with Neil after the game [on Sunday] and the timing just felt right for me. I wanted to go out on my terms and play as if it’s my last game for the rest of the year,” Goodwin said.
“I wanted to be remembered as a player that played with a highly competitive spirit and who played right to the end with very high standards and not someone who crawled to the finish.
“Physically my body feels great and mentally I still have the desire to compete at the highest level. However, if I fast forward 12 months I’m not sure this will be the case.”
Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards and Burton all decided to play on this year given the lure of a premiership, but Goodwin denied Adelaide’s disappointing start had impacted on his decision to retire.
“The only influence it has had is on the timing. If you’re seven-two there certainly isn’t the speculation around about older players - it’s more about finals footy and moving forward,” he said.
“At the end of last year I made a commitment to the playing group that I was totally committed for 2010 and I still am. I don’t want to be distracted in the second half of the year by constant speculation about will or won’t I continue. All I want is to be totally focused on leading this club back to playing consistent, competitive football.”
Goodwin’s announcement might have ended speculation over his playing future, but it has reignited debate over who will lead the club next season.
Midfielder Nathan van Berlo is considered the front-runner for the job, but Goodwin said there were a number of viable candidates.
“There are some guys within the senior leadership group and guys outside the leadership group that have all got the potential to lead this footy club. I’m sure over the next 13 weeks that some guys are really going to put their hand up,” he said
Goodwin, who has already expressed an interest in coaching, described his 15-year-career as “an incredible ride” and said his only regret was not getting back to the grand final stage after winning flags in his first two seasons at the club.
“You have that success so early in your career and you think it’s going to come around all the time,” Goodwin said.
“I’ve been fortunate to play in a number of finals series and three preliminary finals, but not to get that chance to have another crack at it is the only regret I’ve got. The harder you work at something the more you want it and there’s no doubt I’ve wanted it for a long time now and haven’t been able to get there.”
