SYDNEY Swans champion Adam Goodes has been given leave of absence as the latest storm surrounding the veteran intensifies.

Goodes has been subjected to booing from opposition fans for most of this season, but despite pleas from the Swans, and peers like North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell to stop the practice, the issue continues.

Both Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Melbourne's Paul Roos suggested on Monday that the taunts from the crowd were in part driven by racism.



The dual Brownlow medallist was missing when the rest of the senior squad went through their paces at the SCG for a light training session on Tuesday.

On another day of drama for the Swans:

- Brisbane Lions midfielder Allen Christensen threw his support behind Goodes, saying there was no logic behind fans booing the Swans champion.

- Adelaide's Rising Star nominee Jake Lever asked Crows fans to repay the respect they'd been shown by other supporters, by not booing Goodes when the two sides clash on Saturday.

- Geelong CEO Brian Cook said poor treatment of Goodes was 'not the Geelong way', and expects good behaviour from Cats fans when the Swans travel to Simonds Stadium on Saturday week.

Swans coach John Longmire said on Tuesday that the emotional wellbeing of his player was paramount, and that Goodes was no certainty to take on Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday.



Crow calls on fans to show respect for Goodes

"This is clearly an issue that he's concerned about and is sick of, and needed a couple of days (off).

"That's the most important thing, is that we address (the issue) and support Adam as much as we can," Longmire said following training.

"He's a very, very strong individual and he's able to go about his business on a week to week basis.

"Sometimes though, we can assume that it doesn't hurt, and it does."

"Adam's a very strong person who has done a lot for the game, but don't assume that these things are easily washed over and don't affect him in some way.

"It's affected him.

“He's tried as hard as he can to try and move on, and we tried to address it in a way that we thought was appropriate at the time, but he's had enough of it.

"This bloke is an absolute superstar of the game and has done just about all there is in football, and doesn't deserve to be booed every week."

Swans general manager of football Tom Harley says a meeting between the club, AFL officials and the AFLPA on Tuesday morning - which was not attended by Goodes - was productive.

Harley reiterated the view of Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, who said on Monday that the treatment of Goodes is racially motivated.

"Our view is if you're involved in this, and taking it on what the victim of the behaviour (says), if that person feels vilified, well then it is," Harley said.

"Whatever the motivation is, the behaviour that's being directed towards Adam is abhorrent, it's as simple as that.

"We understand that it's a complicated situation, but the general consensus is that enough is enough.

"It's a very difficult outcome to control but there are so many facets at play; there's education, there's leadership and societal issues.

"The industry, I think it's fair to say, has come a long way from (the incidents involving) Nicky Winmar and Michael Long, but the events of the past 12 to 18 months suggest we've got a long way to go."

Harley backed livewire midfielder Lewis Jetta, who took his own stand against West Coast supporters on Sunday with his version of the indigenous war dance Goodes unveiled against Carlton in round nine.

He said that given the quiet nature of a player like Jetta, his actions show just how much he's been affected by the treatment of his idol.

"Lewis is a great mate of Adam's and he felt strongly enough to do something about it," Harley said.

Swan Lewis Jetta kicks a goal and interacts with the Domain Stadium crowd #AFLEaglesSwans http://t.co/dbpPYBUZjt — AFL (@AFL) July 26, 2015

"We're talking about a player, in Adam, that has probably done more for the game than anyone in the last 20 years.

"He's won two Brownlow medals, he's the games record holder at this club, and he's being treated the way he is at the moment.

"If you were a young indigenous player, would you put your head up at the moment and stand up? Probably not.

"We absolutely support and are proud of Lewis Jetta's actions on the weekend."

The Swans take on the Crows this week and if he does play, Goodes will no doubt get a rousing and heartfelt reception from his home fans, but the big test will be the next time he dons the white shorts.

That day will be round 19 when the Swans face Geelong at Simonds Stadium on August 8, and Harley says his former club has already been in touch with him.



A premiership captain with the Cats, Harley believes his former home will be a safe haven for Goodes, and says both clubs will be working together over the next fortnight to make sure of that.

"I think it's the individual clubs have ultimately the influence over their supporter bases, and the Geelong footy club have been a very sound culturally based club for some time," Harley said.

"They're well led and I'm sure they'll be having the right conversations at the moment."

Meanwhile, Goodes' mother waded into the debate, saying the Swans star should be left alone to play football in peace.

Lisa Sansbury said her son's treatment was clearly racially motivated.

"If it hasn't got anything to do with racism why are they booing him every time he gets his hands to the ball? What's your problem guys?" she told the Seven Network.

"Just let the man play football, you know."

-With AAP