HUGH Goddard has grown up dealing with the attention of having a famous football surname. For a decade, ‘Goddard’ was a name synonymous with St Kilda Football Club until Brendon Goddard left the Saints for Essendon.
Comparisons in footy are common place. Almost every draftee gets compared to an AFL player. Just last week Jack Billings was likened to three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Luke Power by Matthew Lloyd.
And while Hugh Goddard knows the comparisons are inevitable between himself and his second cousin, he refuses to let it dictate how he carries himself both on and off the field.
“Obviously BJ’s been here before but I want to make my own name for myself,” Goddard told SAINTS.com.au.
“BJ’s done well with his career and he’s a fantastic player… but making my own name is important to me and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
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Goddard is a key defender with the ability to play forward. Drafted with pick 21 last November alongside fellow Vic Country teammates Paddy McCartin and Jack Lonie was a dream come true, and aside from his first day at the club, there has been little mention of Brendon Goddard around the halls of Linen House Centre since.
“Yeah I got a few texts on day one saying “make sure you’re not as angry as him” so I’m trying not to be,” he joked.
“He’s clearly been a character around the club and being a 200 game player is something special.”
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Hugh Goddard with his brothers Jeremy and Sam and his second cousin Brendon in 2010.
Brendon’s cousin is Hugh’s dad’s Craig, a seemingly distant connection in most families but not so in the Goddard clan.
“Brendon has been great for me over the journey, especially over the last two years,” Goddard said.
“Obviously he went through the draft and all the underage stuff himself so he gave me some great advice and we still catch up to play golf fairly regularly.”
With a string of excellent VFL performances behind him, the 18-year-old was considered an outside chance to debut against Essendon three weeks ago. Although it did not eventuate, Goddard said playing against his second cousin would be a ‘surreal’ experience.
“I’ve been watching him play all my life and I’ve been getting words of wisdom off him in the past couple of years coming up to draft,” he said.
“But my main aim at the moment is just to improve and continue to work on my game and hopefully an opportunity presents itself at some stage.”
VIDEO: Paddy and Hugh celebrate being drafted
Goddard playing for Sandringham in the VFL. (Photo: Dave Savell)
Originally from Geelong, Goddard moved to Melbourne Grammar in year nine. Now living in Brighton with a host family, he heads to the beach or the golf course whenever he has a chance to unwind.
“I’m a member down at Barwon Heads for golf so my father and I both head down there together,” he said.
“That’s my escape from football, I really find it takes me away and it’s nice to be doing something completely different.
“I also enjoy heading down to Point Lonsdale, my mate has a boat there and we go fishing and just enjoy the sea life.”
As a player, Goddard’s greatest attribute is his strength and size. At 196cm and 94kgs, he is a genuine key position prospect. He is team orientated, selfless and places a high premium on beating his direct opponent.
When asked what sort of player he is, his response is typically forthright.
“I just go out and try and get the job done.”
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Two Goddards, 2011.
