Brendon Goddard Biography

Brendon Goddard returns to St Kilda as a development coach in 2022.

Brendon Goddard's achievements on and off the field are recognised after he is presented with the AFL Players' Association's Madden Medal.

The medal is awarded to a player who retired the year before for a range of criteria, including his on-field career, personal development and community spirit.

Goddard reveals he was sounded out by Carlton in February about a potential comeback after being delisted by Essendon.

"I was struggling to get my head around it after not doing too much for three or four months and putting on a bit of weight and not training, just because I knew I didn't have to," he said.

"When I was approached I was hoping that it didn't eventuate so that I wouldn't have to be made to make a decision.

"Thankfully it didn't and the decision was made for me."

Brendon Goddard finishes his career with the Bombers, and potentially at AFL level, with 27 disposals in Essendon's 22-point win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

"We're just all blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him and watch him up close and be a small part of his career," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"It's nice he goes out with a win and he had the special people in his life here for the game, which rounds it out pretty nicely."

Brendon Goddard will not be offered a contract by Essendon for 2019 and is considering whether he will continue his career at a third club.

"I still feel as though I have something to give, but fully respect the club has to make these hard decisions and it speaks to the depth of younger talent we have on our list," Goddard said.

"I am at peace with the decision but still weighing up my options, given it is still very raw, I am taking some time to think about the future."

Essendon coach is coy on Brendon Goddard's future, refusing to elaborate on details of a chat between himself and the 332-game veteran.

"We're all on the same page and you don't need to know when that will be, we do," Worsfold said when asked whether Goddard had been told if it was an end-of-the-season decision.

Brendon Goddard wants to play on in 2019 but is unsure about his future at the Bombers.

"We've had discussions and they haven't been too deep or anything like that," Goddard said.

"I'm not naive, I know the situation I'm in and the club's in. I'm keen to do it (keep playing). I've made that pretty clear."

With just 17 tackles to his name this season, Brendon Goddard has come under fire for the lack of physical pressure he is placing on the opposition as a playmaking defender.

"I'm admitting my tackle numbers have been low, but that's one indicator of effort … there are a number of other areas that we internally value and you can indicate internally your effort across the board, and that's one area where I need to improve," Goddard said.

"I admit that needs to improve and I need to improve in that area."

Brendon Goddard allows his emotions to get the better of him in Essendon's 49-point loss to Collingwood.

As Collingwood piled on the goals, Goddard engaged in an argument with teammate David Zaharakis in defence.

Then at the final break, Goddard trudged off towards the huddle with no teammates in sight, the rest of the Bombers trailing by 50 metres after assembling for a chat at centre half-forward.

Captain Dyson Heppell pulled Goddard aside for a word before the veteran's demonstrative finger pointing continued in another exchange with Joe Daniher.

Essendon coach John Worsfold defends Brendon Goddard's animated interactions with several teammates during Essendon's Anzac Day loss to Collingwood, saying the veteran's blunt on-field feedback showed great leadership.

"I would be very disappointed if he wasn't sharing some of his leadership and knowledge with his teammates," Worsfold said.

"Brendon Goddard knows what he's talking about, understands what we're about in the game and his feedback to his players would be about us getting better as a team."

Brendon Goddard chooses not to be part of Essendon's leadership group this season despite being voted in by his peers.

Orazio Fantasia and David Myers have joined captain Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Cale Hooker, Joe Daniher and Michael Hurley in the seven-man group.

"It's wonderful to see Dyson voted back in as captain and his leadership style clearly resonates with his teammates," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"Dyson consistently displays care for his teammates, leads by example and is extremely driven to see this group achieve the success they are striving for."

Brendon Goddard accepts having just a one-year contract as the reality of being a veteran in the AFL.

"Thinking you're on one-year deals now and you've got less security than what you had for 10 to 12 years takes a little bit to get over, and (you have to) put your ego aside," Goddard said.

"It is what it is, you move on and prepare for the season like I would any other season. At the end of the day you do what's best for the team."

Brendon Goddard has come up with his own strategy when it comes to playing to goalie position for Australia in the IRS against Ireland.

Goddard regularly came off the goal line to attack the Irish forwards instead of the traditional method of defending from the square during the first Test in Adelaide.

"There are only two real advantages: you're allowed to pick the ball up in the smaller box and you're not allowed to be tackled," Goddard told radio station SEN.

"I think that caught them a bit off-guard because I think they're so used to staying back in goal like you saw their goalie.

"They thought I would be on the (goal) line waiting for them."

Brendon Goddard confirms he will don the goalkeeper's gloves for the first Test of the 2018 International Rules Series against Ireland.

Goddard will take the goalkeeping reins from Bombers champion Dustin Fletcher, who had the role for more than a decade before hanging up the boots at the end of 2015.

"I've got the gloves in the bag," Goddard said.

"It's something a little bit foreign to me, with Fletch being the number one goalie for a couple of years. I don't quite have the Gadget-like reach that Fletch's had in the past."

Brendon Goddard is ready to step into the shoes of Dustin Fletcher and become Australia's goalkeeper for the 2017 Virgin Australia International Rules Series against Ireland.

Fletcher was the Australian goalkeeper for more than a decade before hanging up the boots at the end of 2015.

Goddard was earmarked as Fletcher's back-up during the 2006 series.

"Fletch was under an injury cloud so the next person they thought to be best in line to be goalie was me," Goddard said.

"I remember (assistant coach) Mark Williams grabbing me at the end of training and putting me in the goals just in case Fletch didn't come up.

"He had everyone get in a line and boot balls at me.

"I thought I did reasonably well to stop a few, so I think they've always had that in the back of their mind."

Joe Daniher wins his first Crichton Medal as Essendon's best and fairest in a tight count.

Daniher, 23, gathered 451 votes to become the third Daniher to win the prestigious award, after uncles Neale and Terry were successful in 1981 and 1982 respectively.

Former captain and 2013 winner Brendon Goddard (441 votes) finished second, while current captain and 2014 winner Dyson Heppell (440) came third in his terrific comeback from a year-long doping suspension.

"I’m lucky to have been a be a part of it (the club) since I was 13-14 and to live out my dream, I’m really excited about where we’re going as a club and there’s some really exciting times ahead," Daniher said.

"There’s some beautiful people at this club, some beautiful people at the top of the chain and I’m looking forward to some great things happening in the future."

Brendon Goddard will play in his 300th game this week against Greater Western Sydney.

Goddard has played a minimum of 20 games in each of the past nine seasons, putting his remarkable durability down to both his meticulous preparation and good luck.

"I haven't been one for any weird or any strange recovery techniques, [just followed] run of the mill ice baths and cold water treatments and massages," he said.

"There was probably a point there where I went too far with it and became obsessive with it but as I have got older I have focused on the important things and the things that work."

James Sicily and Brendon Goddard forged a lifelong link by achieving an extraordinary sporting double during the off-season after both had a hole-in-one playing in the same group in a mid-week golf competition.

Playing on opposing teams, Sicily hit the perfect shot with a seven-iron at the 161m par-three 12th hole at the prestigious Huntingdale course in Melbourne. And just three holes later, Goddard incredibly matched the feat when his eight-iron shot at the 141m 15th-hole took one bounce and hopped into the cup.

Dyson Heppell is named Essendon skipper for 2017.

Heppell will be supported by Cale Hooker and Zach Merrett, who have been named vice-captains.

Former skipper Jobe Watson retains a spot in the club's leadership group which will also include Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley and Joe Daniher.

“It’s an absolute honour to be named the captain of this great club,” Heppell said.

"Jobe (Watson) has been a tremendous captain - he’s one of the great leaders of our game, and he’s been a wonderful mentor to me over the journey."

Brendon Goddard signs a contract extension with Essendon to play on with the club in 2017.

It is believed he will earn the right to play on in 2018 if he meets performances-based criteria.

"As a club we've made great inroads this year, I'm excited about heading into my fifth season at Essendon, and I couldn't see myself playing anywhere else," Goddard said.

"Being reunited with our teammates in the coming months and the talent that has emerged this season fills me with great optimism about 2017. We still have plenty of hard work ahead of us but this playing group has incredible drive and ambition."

Brendon Goddard will miss Essendon's clash against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium this week with a groin strain.

Goddard injured his groin in the first quarter of his side's 66-point loss to Geelong after trying to change directions to mark a switch kick.

Brendon Goddard's manager Craig Kelly slams criticism of Brendon Goddard's form, saying the Essendon captain has had to shoulder an unprecedented load in the absence of the club's WADA-suspended players.

"People need to understand that in the role he plays he needs some support around him, as do others in the team," Kelly said of Goddard.

"Everyone needs to understand the massive impact this has had on the bookends of the club – the young and the old.

"No one's ever had to do this before. So the criticism of BJ is nothing more than stupid comments made from outside the inner sanctum."

Emerging Bombers Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher have been named in the club's rejigged leadership group, which will feature rotating top-up players throughout the season.

Essendon was forced to change its leadership group when five members – captain Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, David Myers, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley – were suspended for the season for anti-doping breaches.

The remaining two members of the group that was announced in December, Brendon Goddard and Mark Baguley, have taken on the respective captain and vice-captaincy duties this year.

The bans left several vacancies, with Merrett, Daniher and James Gwilt added to leadership positions, and David Zaharakis reinstalled into the leadership group after being cut at the end of last season.

"Obviously development of our youngsters is a bit of a priority this year so it makes sense that we've got a couple of younger players who are held in pretty high regard by the group and they're emerging leaders," Essendon football manager Rob Kerr.

"Given the circumstances and given the exposure to the full leadership repertoire and what's involved in the senior leadership group level will no doubt hold them in good stead and fast-track their progress."

Entering the final year of his four-year contract with Essendon, Brendon Goddard says he has no intention of leaving the club.

"I plan on staying at the Bombers. When that happens and when we start discussions [we'll get to that], but I'm very happy where I am," Goddard said.

Brendon Goddard concedes he might never win a premiership with Essendon but says he is focused on guiding the embattled club back towards flag contention.

"A premiership is not at the front of mind right now," Goddard said.

"Even thinking about wins/losses is not important to me right now. It's about the young kids, fast-tracking their development so if and when the guys come back, we're in a better position than when they left.

"I'm there to win premierships, but I might not be around for it. So, if they win a premiership in five, six, seven years, I'd sit back with great satisfaction that I've played a part in it. As much as I put my self-pride aside, I'd still be satisfied."

Brendon Goddard is appointed captain of Essendon for the 2016 season, standing in for Jobe Watson who has been banned following the club's drugs scandal.

"Although I'm very honoured and grateful to now captain the footy club and this group, you obviously wish it was under different circumstances," Goddard said.

"I've said it before and gone on file as saying I know the areas I need to improve. Like all of us, we need a lot of help. I'll need a lot of help, I'll make mistakes along the way, particularly with the demographics we do have in our group.

"So I think it's only natural that we all have to change the way we lead and try to improve in different areas."

Jobe Watson has rediscovered his passion and will lead Essendon for the seventh season after being elected the club's skipper for 2016.

The Bombers announced their leadership group on Friday, with the 30-year-old Brownlow medallist to take the reins again with midfielder Dyson Heppell his vice captain.

Essendon's leadership group will also include David Myers, Brendon Goddard and Cale Hooker, with Michael Hurley and Mark Baguley added to the group.

Heppell captained the Bombers during Watson's nine-week absence at the end of last season due to a shoulder injury, but Watson said he "had the passion" to hold the position again.

"I spent some time away by myself overseas and had a long think about what I wanted out of footy and my role at the football club," Watson said.

"Over there I decided that I was still passionate about playing and still had the urge to lead and was excited about leading this team and this club.

"In my mind once it was ratified that my teammates felt that I was the right person to do it, I knew I still had the passion for the role."

Former Geelong and Essendon star Paul Chapman has used his upcoming book to slam former teammate Brendon Goddard, labeling him "self-centred" and a "perfectionist".

"When I first joined Essendon I was excited to play with BJ (Brendon Goddard). He did a lot of talking and at first, I enjoyed listening to what he had say. He reads the game well. Unfortunately I found him to be too self-centred," Chapman wrote.

The dual All Australian forward recalled an incident from a game in which Goddard's emotions boiled over and it caused a heated altercation between the pair.

"When we played Geelong in Round 15, 2014, it was naturally a game I wanted to play really well in. Unfortunately I didn’t. We were getting flogged in the first half and Brendon was getting very frustrated, as were we all," Chapman wrote.

"There were Geelong blokes everywhere when BJ (Goddard) screamed at me, 'Where's your man?' I said, 'Right there, where the [expletive] is your man?'

"Then his eyes seemed to glaze over and he lost his cool.

"His reaction was completely futile. I was frustrated because we weren’t playing well and I had seen him react like this in the past. Someone had to put a stop to it but I let it slide.

"I remember thinking how bad it would look if we were at each other in the middle of play. Plus, his whole tirade was nonsense to me and frankly, I couldn’t be bothered.

"I told him after the game that he shouldn’t speak to our young players like that. I could handle it because I never really took anything personally anyway. And what I really saw was a bloke cracking under pressure.

"It was something I had never witnessed before from a leader and a player of his calibre. Even my ex-teammates looked at him in disbelief."

Brendon Goddard says Essendon players have had enough of the leaks in the anti-doping process.

"The cowards who continually leak stuff to people have no respect or compassion for the players," Goddard said.

"They're humans; they're not just players, we're not just footballers.

"They have no compassion towards the men who are going through it, and they have no respect for the process whatsoever."

Brendon Goddard plays in his 250th game against Carlton.

David Zaharakis has returned to Essendon's leadership group, in one of three additions to the squad for this season.

The midfielder was left out of last year's group but has been voted back in after working hard during the season to improve his leadership.

All Australian defender Cale Hooker and veteran forward Paul Chapman have been included in the Bombers' group for the first time, joining Zaharakis as the new faces.

Captain Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton, David Myers and Dyson Heppell make up the eight-man team.

"All three players really proved themselves as leaders around the club over the past 12 months, and to be voted in by your peers is a huge show of confidence in their leadership," Watson said.

"'Hooksy', 'Chappy' and 'Zacka' will all bring a unique and versatile skill set to the leadership group; while as a collective, we will continue to drive the standards we expect of our teammates."

Dyson Heppell's fantastic year is rewarded with his first Crichton Medal win.

Heppell polled 520 votes to win from Cale Hooker (354), followed by Brendon Goddard with 279.

"To be named the best and fairest winner of the Essendon Football Club is a tremendous honour," Heppell said.

"I've been looking through the list of past winners and it's something I'll really cherish.

"It's such a great footy club and we're going to some really great places – I truly believe that – and it's such a fantastic list and I can't wait to see what the future brings."

Brendon Goddard says his belief that Essendon are a top four and finals threat was the primary motivation for his move from St Kilda to the club.

"I clearly identified Essendon as being in a really, really good position to push to become a top-four team and plays finals on a consistent basis over the next five to six years," Goddard said.

"I wouldn't be at the footy club if I didn't think that."

Ex-Saints coach Scott Watters says he had little say in the departures of Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy and Brendon Goddard from the club.

"I think it is sad fabric players of your footy club, BJ (Goddard), Dal and certainly Benny aren't there," Watters said.

"I think that can be really dispiriting to a list when you see those players go.

"The final decision on who stays on the list is not the head coach's. I'm sure it is at some clubs, but not at St Kilda."

Brendon Goddard has labelled ASADA chief Ben McDevitt's treatment of Bombers players as insulting.

Goddard said McDevitt's attempts through the media last week to convince the 34 players issued with show-cause notices to lodge early guilty pleas in a bid to gain reduced sentences were insulting.

"What's disappointing is getting an early-guilty plea (offer). A guilty plea for what?" Goddard said.

"The boys are adamant they've done nothing wrong. So is the footy club.

"The club only encouraged the guys to be honest and upfront and I think they've gone through this with great integrity.

"For him to throw comments out like that were really insulting."

Brendon Goddard will face former St Kilda teammate Nick Dal Santo, who now plays for the Kangaroos, when the Bombers face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

"I actually have to keep reminding myself that he plays for North Melbourne, so it's a bit weird even seeing his name there in the team meeting this morning," Goddard said.

"I've experienced a little bit of that weirdness before coming up against my old team. We might even be on each other for parts of the game, so that'll be a bit strange, but I'm looking forward to it."

Essendon coach Mark Thompson expects Brendon Goddard to be at his best again in 2014 despite some minor injury concerns during the pre-season.

"He'll play a similar role. The setbacks he's had are very, very minor. He's still doing a lot of running," Thompson said.

"To me, once a person gets to a base fitness and you know the player can play then it's not necessary to do all the work. We expect him to have a good year, be a good leader, and be a part of a good team."

Brendon Goddard's debut year as a Bomber ends with the Crichton Medal as Essendon's best and fairest for 2013.

"Both on and off the field, 'BJ' has led from the front in what was a very difficult year for the football club," assistant coach Mark Thompson said.

"He played some exceptional football this season, not to mention a variety of roles, and it's just great to see how well he's been accepted by his teammates, coaches and supporters.

"It really is a fantastic achievement to win a best and fairest in your first year at a new football club, and it says so much about BJ's professionalism and dedication to getting the best out of himself."

Bombers football operations manager Steve Alessio reveals that Brendon Goddard has been playing with a fractured finger.

"He's actually played with it the last couple of weeks and it hasn't affected the way he's gone about his footy and we wouldn't expect it to," Alessio said.

"He hasn't missed any of his training or games, so for him it's not a big issue."

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold urges Lance Franklin to consider the benefits of being a one-club player when deciding his future, using Brendon Goddard as an example.

"If you look at someone like Brendon Goddard, is he a St Kilda player or is he an Essendon player when he finishes his career?" Newbold said.

"I like to see players play their career at one club. I think people can underestimate what that actually provides when you play at one club for that long."

Essendon coach James Hird praises the efforts of the Bombers' leadership group in skipper Jobe Watson's absence against the Bulldogs.

"Probably three of our best players were Brendon (Goddard), Brent (Stanton) and Dyson Heppell, and also Jason Winderlich," Hird said.

"They're all part of our leadership team and they really stepped up tonight, and Michael Hurley worked really hard in the forward line. I thought our leadership group did a great job in Jobe's absence."

James Kelly is banned for two games after a high bump on Brendon Goddard.

Goddard initially claimed to the AFL Tribunal to have not been hit high before video footage appeared to contradict his evidence.

"My recollection of incident (at the time) there was no high contact. footage shows there is. Not forceful enough 2 remember 'at the time'," Goddard tweeted.

"That's not lying BTW. I didn't study the footage because I didn't want 2 question my thinking about the incident at the time of it occurring."

Brendon Goddard speaks publicly on behalf of his teammates about his support for Essendon chairman David Evans.

Evans last week announced he would bring forward his chairmanship re-election by two years to November due to the ASADA investigation into its use of supplements in 2012 that has engulfed the club.

"His effort and contribution to the boys in what's been happening the last six months has been huge," Goddard said about Evans.

"We've got full faith in him. He's put himself up for re-election at the end of the year, but as players [we think] there's no other man who is better for the job."

An emotional Brendon Goddard breaks down in tears after playing a key role in the Bombers defeating the Saints in his first meeting against his former club.

"It's a weird feeling," Goddard said.

"I love the footy club and it meant a lot to me … I don't want to see them lose."

St Kilda defender James Gwilt says Arryn Siposs can fill the void left by Brendon Goddard who left the club for Essendon.

"He's come from the forward line, he's been playing half-back and (up to) the wing almost," Gwilt said about Siposs.

"So I reckon he's the one that has stepped-up over the pre-season with his running and his training.

"He's been in really good form in the NAB Cup, so I reckon 'Sippo' is the one that will step up I reckon."

Essendon coach James Hird says he welcomes Brendon Goddard's direct style of leadership.

"His leadership is outstanding. He is an outspoken person who speaks from the heart and he's got on well with his teammates," Hird said about Goddard.

"He challenges his teammates and they have challenged him. When you mature as a group you trust each other to become more honest."

Brendon Goddard admits to being a frustrated footballer in his last year as a Saint in 2012 and hopes to be able to play his natural game again as a Bomber in 2013.

"It just becomes draining, especially when you're not performing the way you want to," Goddard said.

"I have been speaking to a few people and it was actually a golfer (who told me) about giving up control to gain control.

"I've used that along the way. In simple terms it's about playing on instincts rather than trying to force things."

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt says Brendon Goddard would have replaced him as captain in 2013 if he had remained at the club.

"I thought if BJ (Goddard) was still at the club that it would have been him this year, and I was more than happy for that to occur and for anyone else to step into the role," Riewoldt said.

Brendan Goddard along with Jason Winderlich and Dyson Heppell, is elevated into the Bomber's leadership group which also includes reigning Brownlow medallist and captain Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis.

Brendon Goddard denies St Kilda coach Scott Watters' assertion that his primary motivation for moving to Essendon was money.

"There was obviously reasons behind the move and they're entitled to their opinions and thoughts," Goddard said.

"I think I've made it pretty clear one of the benefits was a permanent spot in the midfield.

"Last year I did play 90 per cent of my footy as a half-forward. so that was something that appealed to me a lot – to be played as a permanent midfielder and try to get the best out of myself in a footy sense and the footy club can offer a lot for me personally as well."

New Bomber Brendon Goddard declines to reveal all the reasons behind his departure from St Kilda.

"I'm not going to say the exact reason [I left] because there's more than one," Goddard told SEN radio.

"The four-year contract [Essendon offered] was quite important for my security and my partner's security but there are a number of things along with that.

"The opportunity to play more in the midfield is something appealing as well but that's all I'll say for now."

Scott Watters says the Saints aren't disappointed at losing Brendon Goddard.

"There's absolutely no disappointment from my side of the fence," Watters said.

"I've just come from a session with 14 young players that want to play at this football club and my energies are pretty much focused on them.

"Brendon's an Essendon player and I'm pretty keen to deal with the St Kilda players that are here."

Star recruit Brendon Goddard is already impressing the Bombers with his leadership at the club's training camp.

"He is moving really well, his body is fresh, he is fit and he has started his training really well," Adelaide assistant coach Simon Goodwin said.

"He has settled into the group and acts like a leader of the group. That is what we expect from him as a 27-year-old coming into a new footy club you are looking for those leadership qualities and no doubt he has started to display those."

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard warns supporters not to expect him to single-handedly turn around his new team.

"What I can offer the footy club as a footballer, and what the footy club can offer me as a person, so summing all that up I thought Essendon was a really good choice," Goddard said about why he chose the Bombers.

"I'm here obviously to offer a bit. I'll do my best to win games of footy as well, but I'm not going to be the saviour at all."

St Kilda is awarded a first-round compensation pick at No. 13 in return for the loss of free agent Brendon Goddard to Essendon.

Essendon says claims that Brendon Goddard was offered a post-football job in his contract talks with the Dons are inaccurate despite Ray Horsburgh, the chairman of Toll, confirming the offer in the Herald Sun.

"At no stage has the club received or discussed any employment matter with Brendon other than his playing contract with the club," a statement from the club said.

"The suggestion that a third party or related party deal has been tabled to help secure Brendon is factually incorrect.

"The club has never and will never publicly disclose contractual and employment arrangements for its players and staff and refutes the unsubstantiated comments made today, as they are categorically false."

Essendon coach James Hird says Brendon Goddard has joined the team with the expectation of success.

"Brendon's come for opportunity and he's come to be part of a successful team," Hird said.

"I've talked to him about where I want this club to be, the way we want him to be a part of it, the role we want him to play and to be one of our players.

"We don't need him to be a superstar. We don't need him to be the best player on the ground every week. We just need him to play a role in our group and play a really big role in our midfield."

Media reports that Brendon Goddard will sign a four-year contract to play with Essendon, forcing St Kilda to match the Bombers' offer of between $675,000 and $725,000 a year or lose its star.

Brendon Goddard officially nominates Essendon as his preferred club.

"We can confirm the club has made an offer to secure the services of Brendon Goddard after he nominated Essendon as his destination of choice as a free agent," Bombers CEO Ian Robson said.

"We must now be respectful of the restricted free agency process and will not make any further comment until this process is completed."

As a restricted free agent, St Kilda have three days to match Essendon's offer should they choose to do so.

St Kilda has confirmed it will not match Essendon's bid for veteran Brendon Goddard.

"We made a significant offer to Brendon that was relative to both his position and other players within the team," St Kilda's head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"While we are disappointed at his decision to leave the Saints, we are absolutely committed to our 'team first' philosophy in relation to player contracts.

"While we were keen to retain Brendon's services, the club respects his right to exercise his options under new free agency rules."

The media reports that Essendon is in the box seat to secure St Kilda star Brendon Goddard as other clubs give up the chase.

Essendon are reported to have offered Brendon Goddard a four-year deal worth $800,000 a season as well as a leadership position to lure him from the Saints.

St Kilda star Brendon Goddard heads the list of six restricted free agents released by the AFL which also includes Essendon's Angus Monfries, Melbourne's Brent Moloney, Port Adelaide duo Danyle Pearce and Troy Chaplin and Richmond's Luke McGuane.

Brendon Goddard has been inducted as a life member of St Kilda as speculation continues to swirl about his future.

Essendon look set to make a major play for out-of-contract St Kilda utility Brendon Goddard.

"Obviously Brendon is a fantastic player and would be a great addition to our club, or any club, but we haven't really taken it any further than that," Essendon coach James Hird told SEN radio.

"It's been an internal discussion and I think he's got a decision to make on free agency, which comes up in three weeks time."

Scott Watters isn't comfortable with the uncertainty around Brendon Goddard's future, but is confident of retaining the out-of-contract star.

"We think we've put a really strong offer to Brendon and his importance to the club going forward is integral to it but under the new system he has an opportunity to test the market," Watters said.

"It is irrelevant whether I like it or not, that is the situation and I support the whole concept, but it can be awkward sitting there as a coach while you're in that concept as well."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says the club has done what it can to retain Brendon Goddard and it is now up to him to commit.

"We have put a contract in front of Brendon and we certainly want him staying at this footy club," Watters said.

"We're comfortable with what we've put in front of Brendon and the way that's been managed to this point.

"Do we want Brendon here? Absolutely. But Brendon has a right through that agreement to test the market. That's his right. That's his choice."

Coach Scott Watters says St Kilda won't offer Brendon Goddard the captaincy in a bid to keep him at the club.

"At no stage would captaincy be offered as cream on the cake for a contract," Watters said.

"That would be disrespecting the privilege of being captain; captaincy is earnt and to me it shouldn't be an incentive."

Nick Riewoldt says Brendon Goddard is the obvious choice to captain the Saints in 2013.

"Ideally for the club, I'm not captain next year," Riewoldt said.

"I think BJ's [Goddard] probably the front runner, but you look at the age and the demographic, BJ's 27.

"So it depends which way the club wants to go and I think they'll sit down at some stage and have a really good talk about it and I'm sure I'll be part of some of those discussions."

Brendon Goddard has given the strongest indication yet that he will remain with St Kilda.

"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are," Goddard said.

"I've said all along I'm happy where I am."

Saint Brendon Goddard is urged by his coach to control his agression and better deal with the attention of his on-field rivals.

"There's probably been two occasions this year where opposition sides have pressed the buttons and his responses have detracted from his game," Watters said.

"Brendon and I have discussed that, he's got a pretty strong template of how he wants to deal with that."

Brendon Goddard says his contract situation has not been a distraction despite the utility becoming an unsigned free agent at the end of 2012.

"Some of the speculation is laughable because it is really manufactured and doesn't have any legs," Goddard said.

"When the time arises I'll make that decision. At the minute I'm comfortable where I'm at and with the situation."

Out-of-contract St Kilda star Brendon Goddard says he doesn't feel pressure from his teammates to sign a new deal.

"I think most players understand the position I'm in personally, and most players - without wanting to sound arrogant - with higher profiles have been in this position before," Goddard told radio station 3AW.

"I don't think that they'd be looking at me any differently or asking questions in their own mind about why I haven't signed."

Brendon Goddard says he has not been offered a deal by Greater Western Sydney and insists he wants to stay at St Kilda.

"As I sit here today, I like the thought of being a one-club player for my whole career," Goddard said.

"There might come a time later in the year - might - when I'll have that decision. To be honest, I'm not in a position to be thinking any further than this year because that's the responsibility I have to myself, the footy club and my teammates."

Brendon Goddard says he hopes to finish his career as a one-club player with St Kilda.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt has backed out-of-contract teammate Brendon Goddard to stay at the club with rumours linking Goddard to GWS.

"He's been in the system and at the club now for 10 years and he loves the club," Riewoldt said.

"He is a very determined player and has been a great player for us. I'm confident he'll be here next year."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says it's a natural part of the increasing professionalism of football that Brendon Goddard must contemplate where his future lies, whether it be the Saints or another club.

"We're all human at the end of the day. We put ourselves first and our families first, that's our purpose in life," Lyon said.

"He's been fantastic for St Kilda. I think all clubs are facing a new paradigm - unrestricted free agency for 10-year players, of which Brendon will be one."

Utility Brendon Goddard says he would love to finish his career as a one-club player at the Saints despite speculation mounting of a link to GWS.

"I'm not sure where it will lead. I'm happy here and I'm contracted to the end of next year and I hope my future lies here forever," he said.

"I love the footy club and I've given everything I can to this footy club and they've given everything back and I want that relationship to continue."

St Kilda utility Brendon Goddard says Irish rookie Tommy Walsh has earned his selection in the Saints' NAB cup squad.

"Tommy has come along in leaps and bounds" Goddard said.

"He has picked up the game really well. He is a great athlete. It is going to be a great experience for him. He gets the chance to get some senior footy under his belt and enhance his skills."

Brendon Goddard speaks to the Herald Sun about his devastation at losing the 2009 Grand Final to Geelong.

"You work so hard, you put in so much effort, physically and mentally, and to fall just short was deflating," Goddard said.

"It's tough talking about it. I don't enjoy it. Actually, I don't talk about it all. I dodge around the questions. I just don't want to have those feelings again because it hurts.

"Probably seeing their (the Cats') reaction as well hurts. That hurts the most. Because you then start saying, would've, could've, should've, buts and maybes."

Brendan Goddard says ex-kangaroo Jesse Smith is running pain-free ahead of first season for the Saints.

"He's got a month of running under his belt now," Goddard said.

"It's the first time in a year, or a couple of years, he's running pain-free and that's a real positive."

Brendon Goddard is expecting to spend more time in the St Kilda forward line this year.

"I guess that's the role that (coach) Ross (Lyon) sees me playing for the team this year, and I'm willing to do that," Goddard said.

"I guess one of my strengths is my flexibility. I play a role for the team, they may need me [up forward] from time to time, but in saying that, I might be down back. Things tend to change."

Brendon Goddard is critical of the surface at Etihad Stadium after playing against Collingwood in the NAB Cup on the ground.

"I'll be spending extra time in the ice bath tonight after playing on that ground," Goddard said.

"I think seeing a ground like that, it makes players more susceptible to injury. At the end of the day, as a footy club, we're willing to play anywhere and the AFL deemed it fit to play on. It was a lot softer than it actually looked."

St Kilda's All-Australian duo Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna have signed new three-year deals with the club.

"It really builds on the plank of stability and the focus we are about, which is team success. Personally I couldn't be happier and it is a great sign of the contentment of the group, where the team is going and where the club is heading. I thank the boys for that," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

Injuries have grounded Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard and Steven Baker for Saturday's clash with Hawthorn with the Saints taking a cautious approach in the lead up to the finals.

Near enough is no longer good enough as St Kilda tonight embarks on a mission to improve its horror record in Adelaide.

Brendon Goddard said the days of accepting "honourable losses" on the road were over.

"It's easy to go interstate and lose. Lose and lose well," Goddard said.

"Have a close loss, an honourable loss, and accept that. I guess we were in that frame of mind early in my career."

But Goddard said the Saints had the maturity to not use travel as an excuse.

"No loss is acceptable, no matter who it is against and where it is."

Brendon Goddard says the belief amongst St Kilda allowed it to notch a come-from-behind victory against the Swans.