Adam Goodes has revealed he had no intention of returning to football after relinquishing his place in the Swans team amid the booing saga that rocked the AFL this season, but changed his mind when he saw the outpouring of support from fans during the game he missed.

Goodes was in remote South Australia when Sydney played Adelaide at the SCG in round 18 and was moved by initiatives within the crowd to show their backing for the dual premiership player. The previous week the taunting from crowds that Goodes and the club had tried to ignore throughout much of the season reached a crescendo against West Coast in Perth, leading the 35-year-old veteran to take a break and the nation to start discussing the complex issue of racism.

"When I decided not to play against the Crows that week, I didn't want to come back and play footy," Goodes revealed at the Swans' Club Champion dinner on Friday night.

"It was a tough situation and without this football club behind me and the supporters and to see what happened… You know, I was eight hours out of Adelaide, we were lucky to get the game on TV, I watched it from half time. To see the supporters, our supporters, who have stuck by me for the longest part of my journey and have always been there to support me and this football club - that's the reason why I wanted to come back.

"I knew I would be supported and protected... It was just a very special moment for me. As disappointing as it was to miss a game, and I hate missing games of footy, there was no way that I thought I would come back from that. But I'm glad I did because this football club means a lot to me and it's given me a lot of strength and a lot of good memories, memories I always have with me forever.

"There was no bigger memory than to see the supporters and the love and the way the boys played that day, it really showed how much I meant to them, which was really beautiful."

Earlier, coach John Longmire had stern words for those who refused to accept Goodes' feelings of being racially vilified.

"To those keyboard warriors out there who hide behind their computers to attack players, or those who choose to hide their spiteful voices amongst the crowd, to all those who shamefully kick players when they are down or vulnerable, before you act next time, please ask yourself: if this was my son or my brother or my partner this abuse was being directed to, would it change the way I act?"

Goodes announced his retirement after the Swans' 26-point semi-final loss to North Melbourne on September 20 after 372 games, which included two premierships, two Brownlow Medals and four All-Australian selections. He said he was heading off on a two-month holiday with his partner this weekend and intended to remain involved with the club in some form in the future.

On Friday, Fairfax Media revealed that a stunning artwork had been produced by former Fitzroy player Jamie Cooper, in collaboration with Goodes, depicting the footballer's famous war cry goal celebration during the Indigenous Round match against Carlton earlier in the season.

"I speak for everyone in this room and many many more in the football community when I say how proud of [Adam] we are," Longmire said. "His leadership at this club and beyond is the mark of a legacy of an absolute champion."