It’s a sign of the league’s foresight in this area that on the Monday after such an incident a conciliation meeting, apology and penalty for the offending player can all have taken place.
Having said all that, there has been a number of incidents of this nature this year, a point that hopefully isn’t lost on those at AFL House. While this is the first case of a player engaging in racial vilification activity, it is obvious the game is yet to rid itself of this ugly blight.
A quick look at the incidents that have received media attention in 2011 suggests as much.
In April, Hawthorn star Lance Franklin was on the end of continued attacks from one supporter during a match in Launceston, which included being called a “black c—”. Soon after, another spectator from the same venue revealed that Liam Jurrah and fellow indigenous Melbourne players were the subject of sickening abuse at a pre-season game.
In May, Port Adelaide’s Daniel Motlop and Daniel Pearce revealed they had received racial taunts while playing in the SANFL this season, with Motlop describing what was said as “the worst I’ve ever copped”.
Earlier this month, a fan at a VFL match was ejected after racially abusing Sudanese-born North Melbourne player Majak Daw, prompting a massive reaction in the media.
Now we have the Sherman incident to add to the list. It’s hardly a good look, especially when you remember all these incidents involve players on AFL lists.
Who’s to say there aren’t worse things being directed at players in the second tier and below that simply don’t get attention because the player is not newsworthy? Who’s to say the problem isn’t exponentially bigger at the grassroots level?
Now, it must be said that the AFL should be proud of the leadership it has shown in this area. A lot has changed since Nicky Winmar and Michael Long took a stand against comments from supporters and the introduction of racial vilification policies in 1995.
It’s no coincidence that the proportion of indigenous players in the AFL rose from 4 per cent in 1995 to 11 per cent in 2010, a statistic not lost on indigenous star Andrew McLeod, whose career spanned those years.
Despite that, while the AFL should certainly be proud of what it has achieved, it can’t stop there. It can’t rest on its laurels.
The year 2011 seems to epitomise this – at the start of the year the AFL presented to a United Nations forum on racism in sport, yet since then has only gotten reminders of how the job isn’t done.
Hopefully, though, the weekend’s incident will be the last time we hear of an AFL player being responsible for racially vilifying a member of the opposition.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Chances are, if he would vilify a Nigerian kid he will vilify an Indigenous kid., Anyway, as I said, it is absurd to bring up political correctness and nanny state, when they have nothing to do with this.
Mark Petrakis
Guest
Where did he racially villify indegenous people? As i said the kid is nigerian
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Oh, for lord's sake, politically correct? Nanny country? This has nothing to do with political correctness, and as for being a nanny country, if you truly believe that, then why would it matter which group he works with?
Mark Petrakis
Guest
Oh please, i abhor racism , but the missing point is why does sherman have to work with an indeginoues group? I mean lets face it the kid is Nigerian, not Indigenous.....sherman should be forced to work with african kids and groups, but we are too politically correct in the nanny country. I wonder how Julia is about all this given her blind support of this weak club.
Rob McLean
Guest
How? How? How did you think this was a good thing to say Justin?
ManInBlack
Guest
For Sherman, be it 4 matches or 8, VFL or not, $5000 or $20,000, I don't think any of that compares to the public shame and embarrassment that he would be feeling now and will be living with for probably the rest of his life. In 20 years time, the question of 4 weeks or not will be long forgotten, but, J.Sherman and 'racist' will still be haunting the fellow. Obviously he did something stupid, and no defense, and it's been somewhat topical because of off field issues - the heat is on this topic presently. And, that's probably a good thing. It allows the community to get a current benchmark on it's level of outrage and moral indignation.
Redb
Roar Guru
Could not agree more, well said.
brendan
Guest
Weak of everyone to let Sherman play vfl.Sherman is a coward vilifying a kid of 19 in his first game.This is more signifigant than the Monkhorst or Everitt incidents because of the age and experience of the player.What message does it send to young aboriginals who have to head for the big smoke to play Afl if a seasoned talented player like Sherman vilifies a kid.Sherman says he isnt a racist but i wonder if i was in his shoes playing against a kid the verbal barbs would be along the lines of 'just watch me son i will show you where the ball is' . I am not aboriginal or active on there behalf however youth suicide is the biggest killer of teenage boys and obviously depression leads to this so behavior such as Shermans should be abhorred as we want to keep as many kids indigineous and non indigineous in the game at all levels for the comradeship and contact with the community it affords them.
Matt F
Guest
I think we have to be careful to seperate the sherman incident with the other incidents from spectators. There will always, unfortunaetely, be racists in society and some of them will be AFL fans. Some will be NRL fans, Cricket fans, Lawn Bowls fans and some won't like any sport at all. There will also be others who share the same views but just don't yell it out in public. I don't think a spectator saying something means the AFL is to blame. They are if they don't try to identify and ban him but in the end it's difficult for any bisiness to control attitudes of its customers. The Sherman incident however seems pretty weak. The fine, public apology and banning from AFL matches is ok but why should he be able to play VFL? If they were serious he wouldn't be able to play any football at all. If he was suspended for striking he wouldn't be able to play so why should this suspension be any different? Also it's very dissapointingthat some of the media released the name of the Gold Coast player involved. They keep the victim anonymous for a reason. How was it in the publics interest to release his name? What purpose did it serve apart from being the first organisation to break the story?
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I was so so disappointed when I heard Sherman did this. Such a good player, and did a lot in the community while at brisbane lions. Hope he learns from this totally unacceptable behaviour and encourages others to do the same. No place for that in sport.
Redb
Roar Guru
I dont understand Sherman playing in the VFL, but that was agreed by all parties.
Redb
Roar Guru
There is no difference or deflection. You've seen an opportunity to take a cheap shot and in typical fashion you did. The irony of a league yob attempting to paint a football code in a certain way is not lost on many I'm sure. :)
Jordo
Guest
Perhaps letting him play in the VFL is some sort of old fashinoned justice-now he'll know what it's like to be sledged unfairly. Agree though that the amount of racial villifcation stories that have apperred in the Herald Sun etc over the last few weeks has been a bit concerning
adam
Guest
Demoting him to the VFL for 4 weeks is a weak punishment set out by a weak club. I know that there was the public apology, $5000 fine and community service as well, but the Western Bulldogs are weak in their acceptance of the demotion as suitable punishment and Simon Garlic's explaination of this as protecting the club at an important stage of the year with them being in a difficult position on the ladder is absolute rubbish. And that Sherman being a professional player will accept the demotion as punishment in itself, is the club just ensuring that they're being seen to punish him while not risking the fitness or form of one of their better players this year at a time of the season where they could need him to get them into the finals. I held a soft spot for the doggies and admired the toughness on the field of some of their club heroes but not any more, they're softer than puppy sh!t with this decision..
Desert Qlder
Roar Rookie
The Australian media shines enough light on any misbehaviour of NRL players I can assure you. Difference is the NRL doesn't feel it necessary to preach to any who'll listen about how wonderful it's game is when evidence is to the contrary. I find it interesting that you would deflect attention though from the point at hand, which is racism in aussie rules. Being an aussie rules fan, I assume you'll take your own advice an avoid posting on Rugby League related threads. The rest of us would then not be subjected to your 'disingenuous' comments.
Fake ex-AFL fan
Guest
Yes, if only the AFL had reacted to this latest incident and suspended the player rather than letting him off....oh wait.
Xman
Guest
Defending what? The AFL as an organization have dealt extremely harshly with matters involving racism. This is to be commended. The vast majority of the issues have been from isolated fans. No matter how much society frowns on antisocial behavior like this you will always have an undesirable element that will not adjust with the times. The AFL can only act as required, and they have.
Redb
Roar Guru
Your a rugby leage fan so your comments are disingenous, only designed to stir trouble. The author also states the AFL still has work to do, which despite a player not being suspended for racial vifilciation since the late 1990s the game can never let up on the issue. "Despite that, while the AFL should certainly be proud of what it has achieved, it can’t stop there. It can’t rest on its laurels." Most AFL fans are shocked this has occured in this day and age at all as it is so rare. Should the Australian public deem the latest NRL player up on Police charges in a similar light re your code?
Desert Qlder
Roar Rookie
Don't take my word for it, the author also reaffirms my point: 'Having said all that, there has been a number of incidents of this nature this year, a point that hopefully isn’t lost on those at AFL House. While this is the first case of a player engaging in racial vilification activity, it is obvious the game is yet to rid itself of this ugly blight.' There will be no apologies for not toeing the party line. The game of aussie rules has seen an array of racial incidents in recent times, that can not be disputed. This in spite of the organisation being desperate for a clean cut image and to be seen to be taking action. Unfortunately those involved in the game are not living up to those lofty expectations. You're on struggle street defending this one fella.
john alexander
Guest
Agree with you Redb - complete drivel! I think it's appalling that Sherman still gets to play VFL. It's an insult to the VFL and VFL players. Also, would a player in Sherman's situation remain eligible for the Brownlow? Hard to see someone caught making racist insults as being the league's fairest player. Can you look that one up for us Michael?