Adam Goodes' request not to be nominated for the annual Madden award for retiring players has been described as "sad" by AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh.
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The dual Brownlow medallist – who was instrumental in the establishment of an Indigenous player board at the AFLPA and remains its chairman – said his decision wasn't intended as a snub.
Goodes did not attend the Brownlow medal count and, after playing his 372nd and final senior game in Sydney's semi-final loss to North Melbourne, also declined an invitation to be part of a retiring players cavalcade on the MCG before the grand final.
In a conversation initiated by the AFLPA, Goodes asked not to be nominated for the annual Madden medal award, which will be presented at a lunch on Friday, for the retired player judged to have made the greatest contribution to sport and the broader community.
The 2014 Australian of the Year – who was subjected to racist taunting at games this season – was considered a certainty to win the medal, which is voted on by the AFLPA's 11-man board.
Goodes is the co-founder and a board member of the GO-Foundation, which exists to improve education for Indigenous youth.
"I think it's really sad for Adam and the game that this is how he's feeling at the moment, but we 100 per cent support his decision," Marsh said. "I think he's made it very clear that his decision is about getting away from the spotlight of football in every sense at the moment.
The AFLPA CEO said Goodes should not have to explain why he declined the invitations he would normally have been expected to accept around the Brownlow, the grand final and in retirement.
"It's a personal decision and it's on the back of everything that has happened over probably not just this year but over the last few years. It has obviously taken its toll, Marsh said.
"Adam wanted to make it clear his decision was in line with other decisions he has made."
"He was at pains to say that he has huge respect for the role that the AFLPA play and he's been on our board and our Indigenous advisory board so he is a huge part of the AFLPA."
Marsh said it would be "terrific" if, as anticipated, Goodes attended the Swans' best and fairest count in Sydney on Friday night. He said he hopes that Goodes will continue to be involved in the AFLPA and even continue chairing the Indigenous player board in his playing retirement.
"He has been an incredible leader of the group since its formation and would clearly have major ongoing value.
"Adam is an absolute champion and icon of the game and I think we'll all reflect on what's happened this year – as difficult as it has been for Adam – and history will mark this down as another turning point for Indigenous players and this country. That will be a huge legacy that Adam has," Marsh said.
"Similar to what we saw with Nicky Winmar and Michael Long I think we're going to look back at what Adam Goodes has done - not only this year but over the last decade really."
Meanwhile, Matthew Pavlich's position as president of the AFLPA may not change should the Fremantle captain decide to retire.
Pavlich took over from Luke Ball last March at a crucial time for the association, which is negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the AFL. The president is selected by the AFLPA's board, of which Marsh is a member. The board must have more current players than past players but Ball decided not to continue as president in his playing retirement.
The finalists for the 2015 Madden award, which in its criteria awards football achievement, personal development and community spirit and off-field engagement, are Chris Judd, Dustin Fletcher, Paul Chapman, Luke McPharlin, Daniel Cross, Kane Cornes and Chris Newman.
