Swans star Adam Goodes returns to football as Swans fall to Cats

Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes returned to football against Geelong tonight, his first match since taking leave from the club amid his booing controversy.

Goodes kicked an early goal and made 12 disposals with no signs of boos or unpleasant crowd behaviour throughout the match.

It wasn't the perfect return for Goodes though, as Cats' Skipper Joel Selwood inspired his side to a 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63) victory.

The 2014 Australian of the Year missed last week’s clash against Adelaide after opting to step away from football as regular jeers from opposition fans reached a crescendo.

Goodes and much of the AFL community felt the booing was in some part racially motivated and his absence prompted an incredible outpouring of support from rival players and fans.

The 35-year-old dual Brownlow Medallist was today spotted on the Geelong waterfront kicking a football with friends ahead of tonight’s game at Simmonds Stadium.

Goodes yesterday said he expected Cats fans to vastly outnumber his own supporters tonight.

"It will be exciting getting back to playing again," he said at Melbourne airport.

"Geelong are a fantastic football club.

“It's going to be a great challenge for the team and I've got no doubt they'll have 28,000 or 30,000 fans barracking hard for their team."

Both teams ran through the same banner tonight in a show of solidarity with Goodes.

The banner also recognised the 100^th game of Swans young gun Luke Parker and the 200^th game of Cats skipper Joel Selwood.