YOU could sense it even before you got inside the ground.

“#FORGOODES” inscribed in red and white chalk on an asphalt path leading up to the SCG. Flyers with the same hashtag being handed out encouraging fans to support the besieged star by turning their backs to the field at half time. Junior players turning up to suburban grounds for their own games with “37” (Adam Goodes’ jersey number) written on their arms.

He might not have been at the stadium when the Swans were taking on Adelaide, but Goodes was certainly at the forefront of the minds of players and supporters who turned up not only to watch a game of football, but to show their respect for one of the modern-day greats, both on and off the field.

The game started almost exactly how Goodes would have wanted it to.

Indigenous Australian teammate Lewis Jetta snapped the first goal of the game to give Sydney the early lead and celebrated by performing a brief traditional war dance.

It was greeted by the crowd with another huge cheer to follow the round of applause that followed the game’s first goal.

It set the tone for an emotional match in Sydney with the game standing for so much more than just the four competition points on offer.

It seems the entire crowd was unanimous in its support.

Crows fans should be on best behaviour at #AFLSwansCrows so whenever Tippett gets the ball instead of booing shout, "JUST DISAPPOINTED." — Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) July 31, 2015

Flyers being handed out at the SCG #ForGoodes fans being asked to turn their backs at half time #AFLSwansCrows @AFL pic.twitter.com/P7FyaJBz1j — Adam Curley (@AdamCurleyAFL) August 1, 2015

Young or old, black or white, today every Australian should stand with Adam Goodes #IStandWithAdam #AFLSwansCrows pic.twitter.com/TYNhvbMYKX — Anthony Sharwood (@antsharwood) August 1, 2015

The SCG crowd again showed its full support for Goodes by rising for a standing ovation for the club champion in the seventh minute of the third quarter - celebrating Goodes’ jumper.

The Swans fans give Adam Goodes a standing ovation in the seventh minute of the third quarter. #AFLSwansCrows http://t.co/siGtCbf0U9 — AFL (@AFL) August 1, 2015

The occasion was always going to be a highly emotional affair given the build-up to the match. The continual booing of the Swans veteran, which contributed to him to pulling out of today’s match against the Crows, has divided public opinion with some calling for an end to what they perceive to be a racist stance against the dual Brownlow medallist.

Prior to the game highlights of Goodes’ career were played on the big screen, while the Swans’ banner contained an anti-racism message.

While there were reports sections of the Swans cheer squad would bring eggs to the ground to hurl at spectators who decided to boo players, there were no signs of crowd tension as the Swans produced one of their best quarters of the season to lead Adelaide 38-14 at quarter time.

They went on to win by 52 points.

This followed Richmond and Western Bulldogs wearing their indigenous jerseys, while some players such as Collingwood’s Jeff Garlett wore armbands of the Aboriginal flag.

AFL club captains issued a joint statement on Friday calling for an end to booing and jeering at players.

“Enough is enough,” the statement on behalf of 18 clubs said.

“Enjoy the game, celebrate the success but don’t boo, jeer or taunt players because of who they are or what they stand for.”