The statue of Goodes performing his famous 'war cry' when the Swans played Carlton in the Indigenous Round in 2015 was made public in the hours before the Friday night clash between the same clubs at the SCG.
Goodes was there for the unveiling at Moore Park, but after distancing himself from the AFL following his painful exit from the game eight years ago, the dual Brownlow medallist wanted no attention prior to the low-key ceremony.
The sculpture was created by artist Cathy Weiszmann, who worked closely with Goodes to recreate the historic pose.
"Very impressed, Cathy did a fantastic job," Goodes said at the unveiling.
"The Swans play Carlton tonight, so it takes you back to that moment in the game and obviously then what happens from this moment.
"A lot of things started to change off the field in relation to me, but more importantly I had made a clear decision on the field that I wanted to celebrate my culture.
"I thought doing it in Indigenous Round might be a safe place to start."
Goodes' former Swans teammate and fellow Indigenous champion Michael O'Loughlin showcased the statue alongside benefactor Basil Sellars.
"It's pretty incredible isn't it," O'Loughlin said.
"To have the honour of unveiling that was one of the highlights of my life.
"When people are walking past it's going to be another talking point, a discussion and a bit of education around it."
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said the unveiling was a proud moment for the football club that moved into their new headquarters in Moore Park earlier this year.
"It's absolutely incredible, it depicts the moment and it depicts Adam perfectly," Pridham said.
Indigenous former Swans players, as well as members of the current AFL and AFLW teams, joined the 372-game icon at the unveiling.
The dual Swans premiership player has stayed in contact with the club since his retirement but remains distraught about the AFL's treatment of him during the infamous booing saga that marred his final season in 2015.
Goodes has repeatedly knocked back an invitation to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, where he could one day be elevated to legend status if he accepts.
The 43-year-old last year attended the Swans' 10-year premiership reunion celebrating the club's 2012 grand final victory but since retiring has mostly focused on pursuits outside of football.
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