In football, the high profile and supremely talented Harry Kewell, has often been put under the spotlight after a poor game for the Socceroos.
The same goes in the AFL. Geelong has Mark Blake, St Kilda has Raphael Clarke and Carlton has Bret Thornton.
And you could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from Richmond fans when Richard Tambling left Punt Road for Adelaide at the end of 2010.
Brent Stanton has become the player, Essendon supporters love to whip the most.
If you ask them, he is the player at the centre of all Bombers turnovers. Apparently, he’s useless. He does nothing right.
Over the past four weeks though, things have gone too far.
Stanton has been booed and jeered at games. Not by the opposition’s fans, but by Bombers fans.
Sure supporters have every right to be frustrated at Stanton every now and then. However, to collectively heckle a player of your own team is totally unfair.
In fact it’s cowardly, unnecessary and ignominious. No player deserves to be treated like that.
It started in Round 6.
During the Bombers’ 139-point annihilation of Gold Coast, a small section of Bombers fans began to abuse Stanton.
Why?
Who knows. Their team kicked a world record 15 goals in one quarter and the midfielder was one of the best players on the ground.
The negative vibes were more prominent when Essendon hosted West Coast the following week.
Stanton was involved in a tough one-on-one contest during the second quarter, which concussed him and forced him to the bench.
When it was publicly announced he had been officially substituted out of the game for Angus Monfries, Bombers fans cheered.
Not for Monfries’ arrival, but for Stanton’s departure.
Seriously, how does that happen? Here’s a guy who’s just put his body on the line for his football club.
But his substitution – which was a result of his courage – is met with cheering. Sickening.
Due to a shoulder injury, Stanton didn’t travel up to Brisbane to take on the Lions in Round 8. However he did return for the ‘Dreamtime at the ‘G’ clash against Richmond on Saturday.
Stanton’s first kick of the match was a pinpoint 50 metre pass on the run to David Zaharakis at half-forward.
Wow – Bombers fans were impressed. Maybe things had changed.
Then came two kicks that went straight into the hands of Richmond players. You know what happens next. Nothing had changed.
Most professional athletes are excused for committing the odd mistake, especially younger ones who are still trying to find their way. But not Stanton.
How would you feel, knowing the crowd is critiquing you and your every kick? That’s what the 24-year-old has had to deal with in recent weeks.
AFL players aren’t superhuman and can’t just ignore jeering like that.
Too often, Essendon supporters focus on Stanton’s negatives. Yes, he makes the occasional error by foot. Yes, he might never be as good a player as the man who wore the number five jumper at Essendon before him – James Hird, his current coach.
But Bombers fans need to start taking the glass half-full approach.
Stanton would walk straight into most AFL midfields.
Many at Essendon believe, he is one of the hardest trainers at the club. He’s a genuine leader and runs harder than any other player on match day, often setting up one of the Bombers’ attacking thrusts.
Stanton is currently ranked 15th in the league for kicks per game at a disposal efficiency rate of 72.83 per cent.
Out of the 14 players above him on the kicking table, only six have a better rating.
The general consensus about Stanton is that he’s soft.
Ponder these numbers though: he’s averaging a career-high five tackles per game, a career-high three clearances and his contested possession numbers have increased by eight per cent from 2010.
What more does the man have to do?
Unfortunately, Essendon supporters are stuck in this mindset that Stanton is soft and can do no good.
It’s impossible for him to win.
It’s also a bit of déjà vu for Essendon.
Champion big man Paul Salmon was booed off the ground after the Bombers’ 1995 finals clash with West Coast at Waverley Park. He’s admitted that day prompted him to request a trade from the Bombers, which saw him end up playing another five years at Hawthorn.
If Bombers fans continue to treat Stanton with the same disdain and disrespect, a Salmon-style situation could occur. And that’s something the club can’t afford, because it needs a hard-running, outside midfielder like Stanton to accommodate the tough inside group of Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking, Jake Melksham and Sam Lonergan.
Yes, you might not like every player on your list. You’re not expected to either.
But booing your own team’s players is far from productive.
It saps the confidence out of players, which certainly doesn’t benefit the team, especially when it’s a player of Stanton’s calibre.
You are there to barrack for your team, not ridicule your team’s players.
Ben
Guest
nowadays it is Chris Masten. poor chap
David Heidelberg
Guest
The phrase 'World Record' should never be used in the context of a sport that is only played in one country.
Swampy
Guest
In a day to day situation, if you have a job that earns you in excess of $350,000.00 per year, would you expect any mistake you made to fly under the radar? I would imagine that to earn that type of money you would have to be pretty good at what you do - better than the vast majority of people in your field. I would also imagine there to be immense pressure and expectation and scrutiny of your role. Indeed each decision you make might be heavily scrutinised. No doubt you could have just as many doubters as believers in your ability, even amongst your own team's supporters. If, overall, you do a reasonable job but show some glaring deficiencies that could possibly lead your team to defeat in the greatest battles, should you only be applauded by your team's supporters? Am I talking about Kevin Rudd or Brett Stanton? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
p.Tah
Guest
Sorry Mals/Bay, it's just poor at anytime. I've done it but I wish I hadn't
Ben Waterworth
Roar Guru
Thanks for picking that up. Should be biggest 'first quarter' score.
Chaos
Guest
The common thread for these players is that the difference between their best and worst is extreme and they aren"t playing on winning teams. When you win these players don't stand out as much. Marcus North was an all or nothing player. Even for WA. He either scored runs or he was back in shed early. He would have slotted in in the 2000's team and been effective. However Australia can't carry anyone at the moment. You can put question marks against most of the team Eagles now have players who split the troopers - Adam Selwood, Lynch, Ebert & Embly. Take Lynch & Embly for example this year they have been senstational. Embly would be an all Australian if selected now. The last three years the supporters have called for his head. Now they are showing 2006 form again the turn around is amazing. Ebert had played 50 odd straight games yet is much maligned for his licking. Even when he is playing well. Imagine if Travis Cloke played on a less brilliant team. His goal kicking would have him in this category.
Anna Harrington
Roar Rookie
As both an Essendon supporter and a sports fan in general, I agree wholeheartedly with your opinions on the treatment of Stanton. His gut running has been so important to the Bombers for several years - in fact it was one of the main reasons we managed to hang on for a draw against Carlton. His final quarter then was absolutely immense. Sure, he can have some awful brain fades and turnovers at times but personally I think they're outweighed by the many positives in his game. Surely he wouldn't get tagged every week if he was nothing more than a turnover merchant? I just don't understand how booing and/or bronx cheering a player down on confidence will improve their performance. Absolutely disgraceful for mine.
Pete
Guest
If players serve up a substandard performance they should drag themselves. Stanton has the ability to be an excellent one way outside mid. His decision making under pressure is awful though. In this modern game outside mids need to be clean, quick with good skills. He should have a spell in the twos, work on his game, earn his spot and come back bigger and better. Heppell should more poise, class and skill than Stanton verses the Tigers. That's embarrassing not only for Stanton but the club. I see nothing wrong with "jeering" a player for poor performance. I also applaud a player that makes an effort. Positive and negative reinforcement. Google it. It's been around for awhile.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Mr. Burns: [Mr. Burns' film is being booed by the audience] Smithers, are they booing me? Smithers: Uh, no, they're saying "Boo-urns, Boo-urns". Mr. Burns: [Stands and faces the audience] Are you saying "Boo" or "Boo-urns"? [the audience boos and throws rubbish at him] Hans Moleman: I was saying "Boo-urns"! Pretty sure they just wanna see Shannon Byrnes.
Could not help but notice this. "Their team kicked a world record 15 goals in one quarter " Actually, Sth Melb kicked 17.4 in one quarter back in 1919. I doubt they called it a world record back then. Are we slowly becoming Americans? :)
Macca
Guest
Interesting definition of "supporter" you have there amused. And what knowledge base do you have to judge whether they "performed", do you know what role they were asked to play for the team? do you know if they are carrying an injury? do you have a better knowledge of the game than the coching staff and selection panel? And what constitutes not performing?
Willy
Guest
What about Tom Carter? He's the Tahs' whipping boy!
Amused
Guest
get your hand off it! these guys are professional sportsmen who are suitably compensated for their work....if they dont perform I have no problem letting them know.
Redb
Roar Guru
Its not right and I'm not going to defend it as Essendon member. He pulls on the black & red so should never be jeered especially when taken off due to injury (not that the crowd knew when he was subbed).
Derek Linsell
Guest
Agree with the sentiments of the article. These guys are doing their best. Mu hunch is mosty of the supporters are not aware of the intense pressure the players are under. What is interesting is that the coach obviuosly believes differently to the supporters as Stanton keeps getting a game
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
WCE fans loved jeering Fraser Gherig, but gee his body language was bad, even when he played well his body language appeared to be bad.
Macca
Guest
Generally I find that those who abuse there own players have never actually played a game of football and would be out of puff by the time they got through the warm up. Articles like John Ralph's yesterday about Brock Mclean don't help. McLean played his first game inalmost 12 months against one of the best teams in the comp, got subbed off after 2 1/2 quarters in what would of been a pre arranged strategy with 12 possessions, 5 tackles, 4 clearances and 18 "pressure acts" to his name and yet Ralph questions his place in the side and even runs an online poll asking if he should be dropped. If Ralph has any football konwledge/credibility he would realise that it takes a few weeks to transition from VFL to AFL level. If Kreuzer comes back in a couple of weeks and has similar stats would they be calling for him to be dropped? Even after Ratten gave Mcelan "a tick" articles are saying "he didn't guarantee his spot", give the bloke a go for god sake!
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
I'm with Mals. For example were a rugby union team wearing sky blue jerseys to play pathetically against a certain South African team we should of whipped, it is completely acceptable to boo them. But that's the entire team, not one bloke.
Mals
Roar Rookie
Agreed, booing directed towards only one individual player I am not a fan off. Collective booing of the team after a terrible, gutless display at half or full time is ok.