Brendon Goddard (middle) has reflected on Essendon's week from hell. Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library
IN AMONGST the seriousness, Brendon Goddard had a chance to laugh.
The star recruit today became the first Essendon player to front the media since news of the performance-enhancing drug scandal at his club broke nearly a week ago.
Goddard had made the move from St Kilda during the off-season in search of greener pastures.
But just what has the 27-year-old walked in to?
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"I'd say I've got a bit of experience in dealing with these kinds of things,'' Goddard joked, referring to the Saints colourful recent history he has had to deal with.
But then the seriousness returned.
How are his teammates feeling given the performance enhancing drugs allegations levelled at them?
"Understandably they've been a bit anxious,'' Goddard said.
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"It's probably hard for me to get my head around it because obviously I wasn't there last year and not directly involved or affected.
"I don't think fearful is the right word, but anxious understandably.''
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Has the reputation of the club and its players been unfairly tarnished by the allegations?
"I don't think tarnished, it's all allegations at this point so nothing's been proven,'' he said.
"I don't think at this point we could make those calls.''
And what do you say to the Bombers supporters questioning whether or not to keep the faith?
"At this point in time it's all allegations and at no point can you jump to conclusions.
"So as players, as supporters, it's important just to stick by the club because the boys are doing everything they can to prepare for another season of footy and obviously that starts on Friday night so I hope to see a lot of the Essendon supporters there on Friday.''
How insignificant a triangular NAB Cup date with Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs must seem in the grand scheme of things.
But at the moment that's all the Bombers players have to distract themselves from furore going on around them.
And as the player prepare for what may well be the biggest battle in their playing careers _ the fight to prove their innocence and protect their reputations _ Goddard reverted back to footy cliché to sum up the impending struggle.
"What we've talked about as a group is what we can do as a team and as players,'' he said.
"And all that is is from Monday to Friday (concentrate) on our preparation and obviously once the season comes around control the controllables.
"As a team we've really helped each other in certain situations and talked about what we've got to do. We've got to control what we can control and that's really important for us as a playing group to move on.''
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