Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes ended speculation about his immediate playing future by returning to training mid-week and announcing he is ready to play against Geelong at Simonds Stadium scheduled for later tonight.

Goodes’ decision to return to the playing field has eased fears that the recent booing controversy which engulfed him and spread beyond the football world would force him from the game prematurely, in what is likely to be his final season of AFL football.

Both Geelong and the AFL Players Association have come out in strong support of Goodes against the booing, which he sees as racially motivated. Geelong is taking a number of steps to ensure a show of respect for the former Australian of the Year, dual Brownlow Medallist and Indigenous spokesperson, when he takes to the field at Simonds Stadium tonight.

Sydney and Geelong players will run through a banner together as a show of unity and support to Goodes. A live ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony and LED signage displaying messages of respect, unity and fairness will be displayed on the scoreboard.

AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, said: “We expect he will get very respectfully treated by the Geelong crowd. Certainly the club is focused on ensuring that happens. Players down there are right behind Adam Goodes and want to see respectful courtesy.”

The return of Goodes coincides with the AFL Multicultural Round which features amongst other things a Multicultural Festival as a prelude to the Collingwood-Carlton match at the MCG.

The festival gives fans the opportunity to explore different cultures through their music, food and dance and takes place between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm today at Yarra Park alongside the MCG.

Today’s round 19 matches begin with the meeting of traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton at the MCG. In previous years this fixture has promised and delivered bumper crowds and a fierce rivalry.

Carton’s dismal season means it has little to play for except pride in defeating the old enemy, whereas the Pies still have a mathematical chance of making the final eight.

Across town at Etihad, the Bulldogs host Port Adelaide in a match which promises plenty of excitement from two of the fastest teams in the competition. Both teams have plenty to play for, with the Doggies aiming for a top-four finish, while Port will need to win to keep alive its chances of making the finals.

On Saturday evening, the Cats welcome Sydney Swans to Simonds hoping to consolidate recent entry into the top eight with a win. Defeat for the Swans means they risk losing their spot in the top four. They’ll have to manage without power forward Lance Franklin who is out injured, while the Cats will have to kick a winning score without a suspended Steve Johnson.

The title of Match of the Round goes to West Coast Eagles and the Hawks in Perth on Saturday night. Second placed West Coast will have its premiership credentials sorely tested by a Hawks outfit smarting from its loss to Richmond last week.

Sunday’s matches kick off with Melbourne hosting North Melbourne at the MCG, with the Roos strongly fancied to make it 14 in a row against the improving Demons.

Leon Cameron’s GWS are on the brink of a finals spot and should have too much at stake to lose against a struggling Essendon in Sydney.

Finally the Saints will be hoping to upset former coach Ross Lyons and his high-flying Dockers at Etihad Stadium but will have to improve on its poor showing in its recent loss to Port if it is to trouble the league leader.