ADAM Goodes would be booed if he did a lap of honour on Grand Final day, Tim Watson believes, while Eddie McGuire says the AFL needs to make a “real attempt” to try and get the Sydney legend to take part.

It was revealed that Goodes won’t take part in the Grand Final motorcade of retiring players as the fallout from the booing controversy continues to affect the game.

There wasn’t any fanfare when Goodes stepped quietly away from the game at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, and he will also be absent as players are farewelled at the MCG on October 3.

The dual Brownlow Medal winner has always avoided the limelight, but his choice to avoid the procession appears to have been driven by the prospect of being booed again.

Watson said if the message wasn’t received when Goodes sat out of the Swans’ Round 18 clash with Adelaide, it never will be.

“I think people would still boo him. I really do,” Watson said on SEN today.

“Because after all this, all that took place, after he stood down from the game for a week because of the mental anguish associated with booing, he came back and there was still booing.

“He went to Fremantle last week and there was a lot of booing. There was booing again at ANZ Stadium (on Saturday) even though it was a small crowd of 31,000.

“I think that he doesn’t want to put himself in a position like that again.”

McGuire said the AFL needed to tell Goodes that “we really want you to be there”.

The Collingwood president said the AFL should give Goodes some time before approaching him, and believes no-one would stoop as low as booing him in his last farewell to the game.

“I hope the AFL make a real attempt to go back to him - let him have a couple of days, let him have his Mad Monday, settle down and have a week - and later in the week go to him and say ‘come on, we really want you to be there’,” McGuire said on Triple M today.

“I think all fans would love to send him off. I know there’s been all this booing at times and at times it’s been gratuitous and other times it’s just been part of the play, but I wouldn’t think anyone would boo Adam Goodes on a farewell lap at the MCG. Surely not.

“I’d love him to get a big round of applause.”

The booing issue reignited in the Round 17 match in Perth against West Coast, with teammate Lewis Jetta directing a war dance at fans in retaliation of abuse directed at Goodes.

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Goodes has not spoken publicly about his feelings on the issue that divided the country.

“He’s clearly been hurt by what has happened,” chief executive Andrew Ireland told the The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s really disappointing that the booing continued. It hasn’t been an enjoyable couple of years. If a player is forced into a position where he has to take time off then it’s not pleasant.

“His most recent experience hasn’t been as enjoyable as the rest of it. But playing the game itself he loved right to the end and it showed.”

Reaction on social media to Goodes and the Grand Final motorcade was mixed.

I'm gutted that Adam Goodes feels he can't do a lap of honour. Why aren't respected Australians offering to do it with him? Hate wins. — Ben Knight (@benknight38) September 20, 2015

@adamroy37 ... C'mon Goodesy. Do a lap of honour for you, your family & your fans. Why must the minority always dicate? Stand up & be proud. — Coach Chirpa (@CoachChirpa) September 20, 2015

Sure people will boo him at games but I don't believe people would boo him on a lap of honour. Get over yourself @adamroy37 #pathetic — Ricky Dunn (@rickyd9) September 20, 2015

Goodes played 372 games, the eighth highest tally of all time and the most by an indigenous player.

He won two premierships and two Brownlow Medals, was All-Australian four times, captained Sydney and the Australian side in the international rules series, and was named in the indigenous team of the century.

“I think he goes down as probably our greatest Swan,” said great friend and former Swans forward Michael O’Loughlin, whose record of 303 games Goodes surpassed in 2012.

“That's no disrespect to anyone who has played for us before, but I think the influence and the winning percentage games that he has been able to play, for the longevity.

“Your superstars play for a long time and he’s absolutely one of those without a question.”

media_camera Adam Goodes opted for a quiet farewell after Saturday night’s semi-final. Picture: Michael Klein

Sydney coach John Longmire echoed O’Loughlin’s lofty valuation of Goodes.

“We’ve had a few great players over the last few years retire, none as great as Goodesy, no disrespect to the others,” Longmire said.

“He’s been an absolute icon to this footy club: 18 years, a couple of Brownlows, four All-Australians. He’s been a superstar.”

Goodes, 35, was among the Swans’ best against North Melbourne with 18 disposals and 10 marks.

He kicked the first and last goals for Sydney.

While the latter part of his career will be identified with the booing from opposition fans, Ireland believes it will not alter Goodes’ standing.

“His legacy hasn’t been impacted one iota,” Ireland said.

“The game has been clearly damaged. None of this has had anything to do with the way he plays footy. “

His final engagement as a footballer will be the club best and fairest awards on October 9.

Goodes said yesterday he would then head overseas for an eight-week holiday with his partner Natalie.

COMMENT: BOOING A STAIN ON THE GAME

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With Lauren Wood