Criticised: Shane Warne accused Adam Goodes of 'staging' to win free-kicks in Sydney's loss to Richmond on Saturday.
Adam Goodes says he will not change the way he playsthe game after the AFL's latest staging controversy sparked a Twitter feud between the dual Brownlow Medallist and another Australian sporting icon, Shane Warne.
A defiant Goodes hit out at critics on Sunday including former cricket great Warne who suggest he plays for free kicks, saying those who had not played the game were not in a position to pass judgment on what happened out on the field.
His comments came after Warne accused Goodes of staging during Sydney's clash with Richmond and questioned whether the Swans champion was a worthy recipient of the Australian of the Year award. Warne later said Goodes' onfield behaviour was not befitting a person with that honour.
The storm started after Goodes fell to the ground after he and Richmond defender Alex Rance collided during Saturday's game, angering Tigers fans who believed he was trying to con the umpire into awarding him a free kick. Goodes was subsequently jeered by the yellow and black faithful.
Replays show Rance made contact with his left arm to Goodes's upper chest and neck region, though commentators on broadcaster Fox Sports believed he had over-accentuated the force. No free kick was awarded.
"I think he's made far too much of that to get a free kick," said three-time Brisbane premiership winner Alastair Lynch, who was calling the game.
The AFL website also questioned Goodes's actions, posting a video of the incident under the title "Goodes hit or bad acting?"
Warne went a step further, tweeting to his 1.67 million followers on Twitter: "Come on tigers beat those Swans and make the finals. By the way, does everyone get annoyed when Adam Goodes always 'stages' for free kicks?"
Warne, in a tweet directed at Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, later claimed to be "shocked" that Goodes had been named Australian of the Year, an honour he was awarded seven months ago.
"I think Syd or the Hawks will win the flag. Shocked as I just found out Goodes was Aust of the year, wow ! Who votes for that?" Warne wrote. Clarke, however, described Goodes as a "champion".
Goodes responded on the social networking service on Sunday morning, telling Warne: "Thanks for your support mate maybe ask @gilly381 [Adam Gilchrist] who votes for it he is the chair of the Australia Day Council." The post was later deleted.
Warne then said Goodes should "just stop staging for free kicks mate. You should be better than that as Aust of the year!!! Good luck in the finals."
Warne, Test cricket's second-leading wicket-taker, was known for his robust appealing during his illustrious career.
Goodes had earlier expressed his frustration at the scrutiny over his sportsmanship. Although widely regarded as a champion of the game, there are supporters of rival clubs who feel he stages for free kicks.
"It's disappointing some of the commentators who have actually played the game but most of the people have never played the game before make these calls on what happens out on the footy field," Goodes said. "Until you've been out on the footy field and you cop what happens out there, it's hard for them to make judgment."It's disappointing from the players who are ex-players because they've been out there, they know what it's like out there on the ground.
"People are going to have their comments, that's their right to do that. Does it bother me, is it going to affect me the way I play my footy or go about it next week? Definitely not. That's their criticism. Whether it's unfair or not, it doesn't bother me, to be honest."
Other stars who have been criticised for staging this year include 2007 Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel, of Geelong, and North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas, who was publicly rebuked by his coach Brad Scott for "diving".
Players can be reprimanded by the match review panel for staging.
Goodes will this week play his first final since the 2012 decider after missing the second half of last season through injury.
Goodes is yet to make a decision on whether will play on next year and said he had not spoken to the club's coaching staff about the topic for a month.
"I'm very lucky [that] the position of the football club is it's all on my terms," Goodes said.
"A lot of players don't get that opportunity, unfortunately, so I'm very lucky to have that."
Read more:
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