When building a successful football club with a strong culture, it is important to have great characters working within the four walls to help individuals to unlock the best version of themselves. 

Not only is Brett Goodes a significant influence in that space as a Player Development Manager, but he also does it with an important First Nations perspective. 

A talented player in his own right, Goodes played plenty of state-league football and was on the Western Bulldogs' AFL list between 2013 and 2015, playing 22 games before eventually joining Geelong as an Indigenous Player Development Manager. 

The Cats have had a rich history of brilliant First Nations players, including the likes of the great Graham 'Polly' Farmer and Ronnie Burns, to multiple premiership players like Mathew Stokes and Travis Varcoe. 

To this day, Geelong's team is stacked with Indigenous talent including Jack Martin and Lawson Humphries, who designed the Cats' 2026 First Nations Guernsey with his sister and family. 

Speaking on this week's episode of 'To the Final Bell,' Goodes touched on some of the players he enjoyed watching growing up, and how they helped to pave the way for Indigenous players in the AFL.  

"Being a young kid, watching some of your idols play the game and for me that was Michael Long, being a Bombers supporter," Goodes said. 

"Che Cockatoo-Collins, Gavin Wanganeen, I loved Andrew McLeod running around, a little bit older but Michael 'Magic' McLean and having worked with him a little bit when I was in Darwin.

"They are just beautiful men that had their own challenges, but were able to succeed and live the dream, playing good footy but then do well afterwards as well which is a really important part of the story.

"I think football has been able to highlight that, and obviously it provides a lot of opportunity for young Aboriginal boys and girls, that have had to rely on sports to break cycles that have been generationally placed upon them. You look back at the Stolen Generation and other things from State Governments, laws that have had these impacts on our communities and our families.

"Sport has been a good opportunity and a good way to break some of those things, it certainly is that for us and our family and we have got a lot to be grateful for it."

Goodes joined Geelong as a Player Development Manager, joining Mark Worthington and Shannon Byrnes in ensuring that the Cats players have all the tools at their disposal to continue developing and growing during their time at the club. 

The Cats' development has drawn plenty of attention during their successful era, able to continually turn young prospects into bona fide AFL superstars which has helped them maintain their position as a perennial Finals contender. 

It was on full display once again last week, as Shaun Mannagh took another huge stride in his third season at Geelong, dominating with 30 disposals and five goals against Brisbane at the Gabba. 

Goodes provided insight into the Cats' development strategies, acknowledging the important factors that can help to unlock a player's potential as they commence their journey at the elite level. 

"I suppose there are a few things there. We are all different and some of us develop a little bit later than others, that is across all things physically and mentally," Goodes said. 

"To answer the first part of that question, I look at the NGA's now and the reason they are successful is that they are designed and set-up to give young Indigenous and multicultural players a bit of insight. To come into the football club and see the players and coaches, that they are just people and there is nothing special going on here.

"It is just hard work and talent, anything that some of these young guys have got and they have come from similar backgrounds. It is just showing those young players that this can be a goal if you really want it, and giving them the tools to be able to deal with that environment if they get that opportunity.

"To answer the second part of that question, you see some young guys come in and they are ready to go.

"Again, I think it comes from their background and the support they have been able to have, against other players who have different backgrounds that don't necessarily have the access and resources to things that others have had.

"It is just understanding who you are dealing with as a PDM, and working with them and their families to build that relationship, making sure it is a genuine connection and then supporting them along that journey."