BEN Mathews, who played in the 2005 Sydney Swans Grand Final win with Adam Goodes, says he’s feeling for his great friend and says the AFL community needs to support the dual premiership player and Brownlow Medal winner.  

Speaking to Dee TV, the Melbourne midfield coach said he was concerned for Goodes’ welfare, after the 35-year-old was booed again during last Sunday’s loss against the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium.

“My concern is on him as a person. He’s a great mate of mine and he’s a wonderful person. Anytime you’ve got a friend feeling the way he’s feeling – you want to try and help them,” Mathews said.

“We can help by acknowledging that he’s hurting at the moment, and as a society and me as a person [we need] to reach out to help. We hope that the football community reaches out for him and really understand that this is a significant issue for him and how he feels.

“He’s a real feeler type person and he’s hurting at this particular time, so as a football community [it’s important] to take those feelings into account and really wrap our arms around him.”

Mathews said Goodes was “a champion of the game and someone that we should really try and look after”.

“He does a lot for the game in Sydney, but he also does a lot Australia-wide – certainly in his community, but for the game as a whole in every community,” he said.

“My feelings are that we really need to unite behind him as a competition and hopefully the fans see that as well.

“He’s done a lot for fans – Swans fans and rival fans – and as a mate I hope we all see the good he’s done and wrap our arms around him.”