Simon Goodwin admits there was a time when taggers would get to him - physically and mentally.

“When I first got tagged back in 2002 and 2003 I probably didn't handle it as well as I could have,'' the ace Crows midfielder revealed.

“I used to get pretty frustrated. I wouldn't give up, obviously, but I would think to myself that it might not be my day.''

Not any more.

Any questions about Goodwin's capacity to deal with taggers - questions asked even by himself - have been answered in emphatic fashion.

Goodwin says he was tagged more in 2006 than at any time during his 10-year AFL career - 21 times in 24 games to be exact - and yet he won his third Malcolm Blight Medal as Crows club champion in a canter, finishing a convincing 36 votes ahead of nearest rival Tyson Edwards.

The only other three-time winner of the Adelaide Football Club's premier individual award is captain Mark Ricciuto.

For Goodwin to equal the feat of the Crows' only Brownlow Medallist in a year in which he had taggers sit on him week-in, week-out added to his satisfaction and had him rate 2006 as his finest season.

“To be tagged so heavily and still be able to contribute the way I did was really rewarding,'' the 29-year-old, who was named an All-Australian for the fourth time, said.

“Not only was I tagged more this year but I played more roles than ever before, as well as shouldering a bit more responsibility in the midfield with Roo (Ricciuto) playing up forward and Andrew McLeod down back.

“`I think that's probably why I was targeted more by the opposition and it's why I hold this season in such high regard. For me and Tyson to have more responsibility in the midfield and still perform was good for both of us.''

Goodwin was at the top of his game all year. One of the Brownlow Medal pre-count favourites, he failed to poll club champion votes just once - the 82-point loss to West Coast at Subiaco in round 17 - and was the only player to receive a “perfect'' 16 votes when he had 34 disposals in the 63-point win against St Kilda at Telstra Dome in round 12.

“I used to dislike being tagged but now I almost enjoy it,'' dual premiership player Goodwin boldly declared.

“In the past two years I've got better at handling it and understanding how to play with someone sitting on you. I've had some pretty good coaches (Neil Craig and Don Pyke) who have taught me how to deal with it a lot better.''

By Andrew Capel
This is an edited version of a feature from the Adelaide Football Club’s official 2006 Year Book, now available through CROWmania or at selected newsagents.