A crowd of 14,000 Storm fans gave him a right old raspberry, ostensibly for his key role in stripping Melbourne of two NRL premierships for breaching the salary cap.
He has apparently taken it badly, reportedly telling Crocmedia: “I never really go for that whole passion line. I mean, terrorists are passionate about what they do and, you know, that doesn’t make it right.”
Terrorists? It was hardly a jet into a skyscraper, but whatever.
It is the latest in a long line of overreactions to crowd cheers and jeers.
On the same weekend, journalists quizzed Wallaby Quade Cooper and coach Robbie Deans about anti-Australian elements who booed the goalkicker in the match against Italy.
It was in North Harbour, New Zealand. What else could you have imagined?
Sam Stosur was booed and catcalled as the pro-American crowd tried to fire up an uninspired Serena Williams in the US Open final.
I don’t think I have ever been at an NRL game where the referees didn’t cop a bake at halftime, even if the home side is up 10-2 in the penalty count.
On the other hand, crowds cheered when the famous Brookvale brawl broke out. Crowds cheer when a referee falls over.
Ever since we started throwing Christians to the lions, the great appeal of going to a sporting event has been the mindless mob mania.
Who hasn’t cheered away with the rest of the crowd before asking: “What happened?”
John Howard used to get booed every single time he went to a sports event (and he went to plenty) and yet the same larrikin giving it to him on Sunday voted him back in the next Saturday.
Sometime recently, though, a cheer or a boo stopped being just that.
Now, it is interpreted as insightful social commentary. It is psychoanalysed and reflected through the prism of popular opinion.
Now, the entirely predictable act of booing an administrator who made a hard decision is enough to have you labelled a terrorist.
Would any right-minded Storm fan, alone and under oath, seriously endorse salary cap rorting? Of course not.
Was everyone who cheered when the Brookvale brawl broke out voicing a deep-seated enthusiasm for violence? Ridiculous.
Once Serena Williams was beaten, the US crowd showed appreciation and respect for Sam Stosur. It was a big event, their girl was in trouble, they got a bit revved up.
This was not an some anti-etiquette, anti-Australian social statement anymore than those who booed Quade Cooper wish ill upon their neighbours across the ditch.
Cheering and booing is just a bit of fun, it’s not social commentary.
And as Quade Cooper says: ”You can’t tell if they are cheering or booing. The roar from the crowd just spurs you on.”
tdub
Guest
and who draws the line? what is acceptable, and who gets to judge that? you....surely not.
Damo
Guest
I hate booing. Especially when Aussies and Kiwis do it. Do the Irish do it? As I said I hate hearing it.....I get so upset I usually boo the people doing it.
Damo
Guest
Moa, From where I was sitting it sounded like 'Roo' which I took to mean as a mistaken cheer for the Wallaby's bigger cousin, the kangaroo. It seemed like a charming and hospitable welcome that our kiwi mates were extending to their Aussie bros.
Republican
Guest
BigAl Indeed. The thread heading refers to both 'mob' and 'rules' in the same breath if you like. A contradiction in terms perhaps - and why I pose the question.
Sprigs
Guest
Have you noticed that people over the age of about 50 don't boo when a kicker from the opposing team has a shot at goal ? And how they applaud the arrival of the opposing team and if they show great skill ? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
BigAl
Guest
"acceptable displays of fervor by any mob " - now there's an oxymoron for you.
Republican
Guest
There is a line to be drawn in what should be acceptable displays of fervor by any mob - surely.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Thanks - have fixed that typo now.
oikee
Guest
Yes, Argentina played the all-blacks last week, no one can mistake those jerseys. :)
phascolomis
Guest
Being a bit pedantic but it was tough on Cooper being booed against Argentina, he was also booed playing against Italy last weekend as well !
BigAl
Guest
To expect sports crowds to behave respectfully, sensibly and rationally is strange. That is why the fan goes to sports events - to get away from all that crap !
Will Sinclair
Guest
I thought they were chanting "Boo-urns".
The Cattery
Roar Guru
This reminds me of a story about Gough Whitlam that must have happened on the eve of him being sacked by Kerr. It was at a big gathering, may even have been at the League grand final that year, and he walks out after the match to do a presentation or something, and I think he was accompanied by the then Premier, Neville Wran, The crowd started booing and jeering, and Gough says to Wran: Comrade, why didn't you tell me you were so unpopular.
TomC
Guest
Is anybody describing it as an 'anti-Australian social statement'? I haven't seen that one. As I posted on another article yesterday, New York fans boo. They're notorious for it.
oikee
Guest
The beauty of Origin is that anyone from NSW or dressed in blue gets booed, this story would not got airtime if Gallop had not used the word Terrorists. Time to move on, and keep up the booing. I can understand the kiwis booing Cooper, isn;t he a kiwi. Boo Boo Boo, boo to anyone who is not a Broncos fan, boo to you.
Moaman
Guest
"You can’t tell if they are cheering or booing. The roar from the crowd just spurs you on.” Note to self; Boo more clearly. For Quade.
Al from ctown
Guest
I can understand booing gallop if he was just walking out to have a wave or getting to his seat, but the guy was awarding the booing mob their minor premiership trophy.... Just poor form. And even tho you quoted what he sed in your article you still joined the rest of them by saying that gallop labelled them terrorists?? Seriously? Like the rest it's bending the truth for the sake of a good story huh? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.