Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes was among a number of players to shine at the club’s intra-club match at Henson Park on Friday night.

Heading into his 18th AFL season, Goodes played the first half of the intra-club match in front of 2000 supporters and was quick to display his trademark skill and ability with some clever possessions and a few moments of brilliance.  

The performance was even more impressive considering Goodes has been on a modified pre-season program and has only recently ramped up his training leading into the start of the season.

Swans coach John Longmire said he liked what he saw from the 35-year-old and expects him to play at least two NAB Challenge matches.

“He was running right on top of the ground, he was really lively early in the game,” Longmire said.

“He ended up playing a bit over 40 minutes but he looked really good in those 40 minutes, he didn’t look as though he missed a beat, he wound the clock back a little bit.

“He looked as though he had a lot of confidence in his body, he was bouncing along a little bit, he was leading and his run looked good and he looked as though he could have done another 20 or 30 minutes easily.

“The good sign is that he came off the ground because he was managed, but other than that he was pretty lively for a 35-year-old.”

Goodes wasn’t the only one to shine at Henson Park with some notable defenders all performing strong roles in the back half of the ground.

Longmire was impressed with the performances of Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Jetta, Nick Smith, Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe in defence.

Swans speedster Jetta kicked a great running goal from inside-50 on a tight angle in the first quarter while he also used his kicking skills to great effect setting up his teammates on the rebound.

“Defensively those blokes were pretty good, they were in reasonable touch which probably made it hard at times for the blokes in the forward line of both teams but those blokes were pretty lively,” Longmire said.

Swans co-captain Kieren Jack was also influential playing up forward and in the midfield, Kurt Tippett displayed some aggression in the ruck and around the ground while some of the club’s new recruits performed well in their first official hit-out.

Forward James Rose kicked the first goal of the match while Jack Hiscox’s run and pressure acts caught the eye of the coach.

“I thought Jacky Hiscox’s run stood out, we know he can run, but he runs to smart spots and keeps going,” Longmire said.

“I thought his run and spread, out of the young kids, was a bit of a highlight.”

Developing ruckman Sam Naismith was also lively providing one of the highlights of the match with a big grab and goal in the forward line.

“He’s been on limited time and training because of his glandular fever at the start of pre-season, but he’s been doing more and more,” Longmire said.

“He’s 205cm, he can run and jump and as we saw he can launch himself as a forward too, so that’s so important to be able to play as a forward and add value both in the air but defensively too.

“He’s pretty quick for a really big bloke, he’s got some real speed.”

The only disappointing note was an elbow injury to young Swan Jake Lloyd. The full extent of the injury will be determined next week.

The Swans kick off their NAB Challenge campaign next Friday (March 6) against Brisbane at C.ex International Stadium, Coffs Harbour.

Don’t forget Swans Fan Day is on this Sunday, March 1 at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park from 10am to 1pm.