What has Adam Goodes done wrong to become the target of incessant booing at AFL games, particularly in Melbourne?
In games against Essendon, Richmond, Hawthorn, and then on Sunday afternoon against the Western Bulldogs, each time the Sydney Swans dual Brownlow Medallist and premiership champion, and current Australian of the Year went near the ball, lined up for a shot at goal, touched the ball, or went near the fence, he was greeted with a chorus of jeers and boos.
And then in the wash up of Sunday afternoons clash against the Bulldogs, it turns out a Bulldogs supporter was ejected from the game for allegedly hurling racial insults at Goodes and Lance Franklin.
In the game against Essendon in May, Goodes was also the target of racial abuse from a Bombers supporter.
The AFL, as far as NSW and Queensland is concerned, is increasingly battling an image problem. The racial attacks on its two leading figures in Sydney is only adding to it.
The Swans have attracted a lot of attention over the last 18 months, especially since the club signed Kurt Tippett on the back of their unexpected premiership in 2012.
It has gotten worse since Franklin arrived at the Harbour City.
It’s old news, but ever since, the Swans have been the target of consistent sniping and attacks by Victorian club presidents on a range of topics, swinging from accusations of cheating with the COLA, and unfair advantages over the academies.
Thrown into this mix is the incident which will haunt the game for a long time.
During Indigenous Round last season, in the clash against Collingwood, Adam Goodes pointed out to a spectator in the crowd who had hurled a racial insult at him over the fence. Unbeknownst to Goodes at the time, the spectator turned out to be a 13-year-old girl who called him an “ape.”
And while Collingwood president Eddie McGuire immediately tracked down the Swans champion to apologise to him, the Magpies boss went on to make the gaffe of all gaffes with his brain snap joke about Goodes and King Kong. It was most awkward irony for the AFL that particular weekend.
In the lead up there had been reminiscing about that day at Victoria Park against the Magpies in 1993, when St Kilda champion Nicky Winmar lifted his jumper and pointed to his skin, after he and teammate Gilbert McAdams had been the subject of torrid racial abuse.
It was the 20th anniversary of the infamous incident and the AFL pumped up for how far the game had come since then.
While the game has come a long way since some ugly racial incidents have marred the game, such as Collingwood’s Damian Monkhorst racially vilifying Bombers champ Michael Long during the 1995 Anzac Day clash, and Dermott Brereton’s infamous targeting of West Coast Eagles star Chris Lewis during the 1991 AFL Grand Final, clearly, there is still a way to go.
The AFL may pride itself on its rich history with Indigenous players and being the game that cherishes, celebrates, and honours them, but so does the NRL.
Some of the NRL’s greatest players have been Indigenous. Two of the biggest names currently in the game are also Indigenous.
Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston both have bigger profiles in Brisbane and Sydney than the names of Goodes or Franklin. The South Sydney Rabbitohs sit smack bang in the middle of Redfern.
While the NRL is not immune to spectators booing players, or poor spectator behaviour, booing of Thurston and Inglis just doesn’t happen.
When the two biggest names for the AFL in Sydney happen to be Lance Franklin and Adam Goodes, both Indigenous players, and they are on the receiving end of racial abuse in AFL games interstate, what does it say about the state of the game as far as its fan and spectator behaviour is concerned?
AFL is known for its passionate fans, but there is a fine line between passionately supporting your team at a game, and hurling abuse at an opposition player, racial, or not.
If the reason Goodes is being booed is because of the incident last season, it shows we are learning nothing.
There is a belief that Goodes humiliated the girl last year, because at 13, she didn’t know better. But if the same girl was caught shoplifting, is it going to be said she didn’t know any better or that stealing was wrong? She was certainly old enough to know right from wrong, and since when has it become acceptable to yell abuse at an opposition player over the fence anyway?
If these have become excuses for supporters to turn up and boo Goodes, then there is something seriously wrong.
If the recent hysteria attached to the Swans has become an excuse for booing Goodes and Franklin, something is seriously wrong.
The booing not only looks and sounds ridiculous, it wreaks of ignorance, intolerance, and indifference.
fred Swan79
Guest
It's not the booing, that's part of the game. What's not part of the game is chanting The Swans take it up the a... and the racist chant of She was right. Security did nothing to stop the mob. Don't blame them.
Jax
Guest
Traitor is a bit harsh as it's a job after all. If a company headhunted you and offered to pay you 50% more than you're are paid currently you'd have to at least seriously consider it. Same for Buddy and any other player, it's their profession and it has a limited time.
Catherine Strassberg
Guest
I attended the Grand Final with my husband and two grandchildren. We have always tried to teach our children and grandchildren tolerance and respect for others. How do I then explain the behavior of the crowd on Saturday? Children as young as six joined in the booing and chanting. They could not possibly understand what they were saying or doing but will carry the pattern of behavior into adulthood and think it is acceptable. It is NOT and all the clubs the ALF and general public must take a strong stand on this. Where were the security guards and MCG staff during this? We did not see anyone in authority trying to stop this in any way. Why was there not an announcement made during quarter time by the MCG? This must be stamped out now!
BenBrewski
Guest
Buddy is booed by Hawthorn supporters because he is a traitor. Because player contracts are not published, there is a perception that Sydney could only afford to pay such a ridiculous salary due to the COLA. The COLA makes the teams that don't get special AFL treatment angry as it is not a fair playing field. Players like Buddy don't need a COLA when you get paid millions. The rookies are probably the only players that deserve the COLA, and then that is debatable. If Goodes was being booed for being an Indigenous Australian, then every other Indigenous Australian playing the game would be booed by the same people. Goodes is booed over a perceived belief he is protected by the AFL for a marketing purpose (the AFL wants the Sydney expansion teams to succeed at almost any cost so they can knock off the NRL).
deccas
Guest
Racism does go both ways axle, but its far more damaging from the white population because its bigger, and firmly entrenched in power positions. Racism from the majority can exclude others from the benefits of society, whereas racism from a minority is just upsetting and distasteful.
deccas
Guest
Or maybe only the ones that are a symbol of aboriginals standing up to racism?
deccas
Guest
I mean one of those is a hate groups symbol and one is an espousal of economic theory.
deccas
Guest
That's pretty offensive Bosk. If you're just trolling i suggest you grow up, and if you actually believe the nonsense you just spouted then I hope you take a bit of time out to do some reading and come to understand how racism from white Australians directed at aborigines has had significant detrimental impacts for most if not all aboriginal Australians. Your attitude is not on.
deccas
Guest
I think saying that there isn't racism in autralia is pretty wide of the mark. Maybe you should talk to your aboriginal mates about it? I'd say there is a decent chance they would disagree with you.
Chris
Guest
I'm not sure there are many more players that divide opinion more than Adam Goodes. A great player, premiership winner, phenomenal athlete and proud indigenous leader. He has unfortunately sullied his reputation by picking up some bad habits that have not endeared him to opposition supporters, including me, like when he slid into tackle another indigenous star, Cyril Rioli in the 2012 grand final. Rioli easily could have had his legs broken by Goodes if he wasn't able to jump above the sliding tackle (with boot studs/stops up). Nothing was done by umpires about this dangerous tackle and the AFL tribunal also ignored it, effectively condoning the dangerous act. Unfortunately it has become a habit not a one off incident. Similarly he should have been suspended for leaving the ground, laying his hip and shoulder into Cats captain, Selwood's head, almost knocking him out. Again he was cleared. Then just last week he did what all AFL supporters hate - staging for a free kick, claiming to have been collected in the head when he wasn't touched by the opposition player. Again he was not reported, nor even reprimanded despite the AFL's directive to take a tough stance on staging (at the start of the year). Now Goodes is not alone in all these incidents but he is a great player and it is sad, disappointing and frustrating that he appears to be given special treatment by the AFL umpires and tribunal. If he "copped his fair whack" (ie got suspended a few times) I think most people would think fair enough but this has not been the case. Now who knows whether some cretins also boo him for being an aboriginal. Hard to comprehend but eminently plausible. I recognise that racism is alive and well in Oz in some sectors. The fact he plays for a super strong team in Sydney which has cherry picked 2 star, million dollar forwards from Hawthorn and Adelaide the last 2 years using their salary cap advantage probably exacerbates the dissatisfaction with Goodes' bad habits and his perceived special treatment. So there is a little more to this ugly booing phenomenon than the simplistic view presented in the article.
leanne
Guest
Whilst racial abuse should not be tolerated under any circumstances it is blinkered vision to think that booing is a sign of racial abuse or has everyone gotten soft? We attended the geelong v freo game and long after the siren when a defeated freo walked from the paddock the stadium of geelong supporters booed them off. Booing is definitely bad sportsmanship but to label it racism is sensationalising at its best. Not everything is racism!
Warren Cooper
Roar Guru
Thanks double dutch - if you're reading in to it as a bit of anti-PR exercise against the AFL, then you have missed the point of it I'm afraid. I'm sorry you believe it is. This season in particular has been a frustrating season for Sydney based AFL fans, especially Sydney based AFL Swans supporters who want to see the profile of the sport continue to grow in the Harbour City and NSW - which it is. But even when you have Andrew Pridham, president of the Sydney Swans saying, “It has been the Victorian clubs attacking us … inferring we’re cheats. And the damage that does to the integrity, not just to the Swans but to the competition, is significant." He also said to watch out for the NRL, as they are fast closing the gap, I suppose Pridham is being anti-AFL as well? I made a comparison with the NRL because, generally, Indigenous players such as Greg Inglis are held in such high regard for the prowess, booing them just isn't on the cards. And he has joined Adam Goodes' anti-racism campaigns. I had every intention of writing a far more positive article last week until reports Goodes had been, once again, racially abused by a spectator. Some pro-AFL articles are coming, I haven't even got started regarding the NRL ... those who know me well, know me feelings on that game. It is not what Rick Disnick would have you believe. As far as AR is concerned, I would choose my words better again. If this article has offended people, I apologise, however I am not apologetic for asking the question I did.
doubledutch
Roar Pro
Bit late to the party. Booing is part of football but I recon also there most likely is some racial aspect to what is happening to Goodsy. Agree also with AR and a few others that part of this article is a bit of an anti-PR exercise against the AFL. Goodsy is tough and I love his work. He will deal with it and play some great football in the finals I am sure. Go the Swans!
Warren Cooper
Roar Guru
Nope - you're just looking for something that isn't there.
Warren Cooper
Roar Guru
Rick Disnick, there is no need to worry, as this was not an AFL bashing piece in the first place. It looks like you want it to read like it is because you have gone to great length's to try and prove it, to try and put me in my place. Apparently I made it easy for you. I didn't really as I'm quite happy with what I have written. The only thing I would change is some of my responses to the comments, I'm not afraid to admit that, but not the article itself. And thanks for the free advice. For what it's worth, if you're going to give advice to other writers on the Roar, make sure you don't go to great length's to discredit them first, as it actually makes you look dubious and it exposes your own motives. Especially when you need to boost your own profile by boasting your credentials - at the expense of another writer. Also by writing the article off because it has received 250+ comments, is just ridiculous, especially since a good half of the comments are my responses to comments. Your charge that I have written this article for click bait, and for attention seeking reasons and my own selfish gain, is offensive on a number fronts. The main one being, and I haven't self disclosed until now - for good reason, I have Indigenous relatives and have personally experienced racial abuse first hand. My work colleague is also Indigenous. By writing this article off because you believe you have something to prove for yourself, is not only offensive, its actually bullying. Now ... if you're involved with the GWS juniors, you would know Kevin Sheedy has been on the front foot criticising Eddie McGuire for his attacks on the Sydney clubs, as well as the northern state academies. Last year on AFL 360 he said quite explicitly in frustration after Eddie McGuire had attacked the Swans COLA, which GWS also get, "We've got a game to sell in Sydney." I have actually written about the academies in previous articles. Rick, if you think I am an NRL roaming troll, than you will probably think Sydney Swans president Andrew Pridham is one as well. He has expressed concern at the image the AFL is getting in Sydney, in an interview with Fairfax's Sam Lane in June, he said, "It has been the Victorian clubs attacking us … inferring we’re cheats. And the damage that does to the integrity, not just to the Swans but to the competition, is significant. But wait for it, he even said this; keeping it in context of Lane's article, "While Pridham thinks the AFL remains the most professionally run code in Australia, from his vantage point he senses the NRL is fast closing the gap. For this reason Pridham says that the AFL Commission, and transforming executive, need to think very carefully about focuses. "The NRL has got Graeme Samuel on their commission. They're now professionally run. Look out, because they're not mugs." There it is! Look out, the Swans boss is an NRL roaming troll. He said the NRL is professionally run! Even though he grew up in Adelaide barracking for Norwood ... OMG! See now, all I did was do a simple Google search to find those articles, although I had already read them before hand. That's what good writers do, they keep themselves well informed, and keep them in mind. Emma Quayle is another who has written Swans related articles. So has Jon Ralph, whose articles have tended to be negative. It's actually not news that the NRL is on the nose in the North Shore, it has been since the North Sydney Bears were turfed out of the NRL premiership. Also the Manly Sea Eagles are imploding. It's also on the nose in some parts of the Illawarra and in the Shire as well. The Swans have been claiming that territory. I see Swans reps at UOW every week, but whoopee - do, it doesn't make me anyone. Many people in the Illawarra are still unhappy with what happened to the Illawarra Steelers and the fact the NRL is moving games away from the Gong. It was actually great to see the Swans play a reserves game at North Dalton Park last month. How good would it be to see an AFL game eventually played in the Gong - that would really put the wind up the NRL down here. It would be a guaranteed sell out and gain massive attention in the local media. The Swans gained a huge amount of local media coverage in 2005 when they trained at the University of Wollongong. But NRL roaming trolls don't worry about that sort of thing, or do they? I don't know. All I know is, I hope the Swans keep coming to the Gong, year in, year out. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/andrew-pridham-upholds-a-grand-tradition-in-defence-of-the-swans-20140725-zwyk7.html#ixzz3Bqhwo3W0 Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/swans-chairman-blasts-attack-on-club-20140725-zx0do.html#ixzz3BqfHEHJ8
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
I've actually read it more than a dozen times Rick, tying to look at it from your angle.....and I just don't see it.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Nope - I think I have conclusively shown Warren to be someone who doesn't know the true meaning of the word 'fact'. The 'fact' you have mentioned in your third paragraph the competition between the AFL and NRL again just highlights what this article was originally intended for, despite Warren claiming otherwise. When you read through from the beginning again you will understand, as painful as that may be for you. But each to their opinion Peter if you don't.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Warren I'll give you a free bit of advice for your next article if indeed you chose to do so. Firstly, don't use the word 'fact' to back up your opinion. You have used it far to much in this discussion. I called you out on it and you have not been able to prove anything you have called 'fact' throughout this discussion. Secondly, structure your articles so they make sense. I could have given you any number of articles to back up my claim that the AFL's image is hardly tarnished in NSW, but your the one who decided to mention Buddy being bad for the game here in NSW. I simply put you in your place, because you made it easy for me. Thirdly, your have made a statement about the AFL in NSW being on the nose and then somehow immediately after tried to relate a possible causative factor being the many negative emotions and stories coming out of Victoria. This just does not make any sense to a person with a bit of intelligence. You have either done this deliberately for all the simple people to make it sound really bad or you just don't know how to write an article. If it is the latter then take this as another bit of free advice. I live in the Blue Mountains and Hunters Hill Sydney. I am a physiotherapist with a specialty in biomechanics doing consultancy work for the Saint Josephs College rugby team and the GWS Giants juniors out west. Believe me when I say if I wanted to write a clear, coherent article about how the NRL is on the nose along the North Shore then I could make a much better argument than what you have done when it comes to the AFL in NSW. Why? Because I have access to a lot more data than you on this topic since I also work in the health service and get access to injury rates, claims and rebates from all the major insurance companies. This information is quite interesting as it highlights very specific trends in junior participation rates and I can tell you it is not great for league. Of course I can back all this up with credible evidence as well, which is what you can't do so be very careful when someone decides to challenge you. After all, isn't that what said further up, you wanted me to challenge you in some of your opinions, which are apparently fact? I didn't see to much defence in those last two lengthy posts of yours so I'm assuming you are going to retract quite a bit of what you have said within the main text of your original article then... Warren your original topic is a very valid one and to be honest I don't know why the crowds are booing Goodes. I think it's an interesting discussion so if indeed you did want to have this discussion then I don't think it takes Einstein to figure out from the responses you f****cked up big time on that front. What you have achieved is what 1-2 Roars do on a weekly basis and that is get a 200 plus response article from trolling. If that was your agenda then congratulations, but like I said you gradually start getting less and less people being interested in your real posts like me. Not many will take the time to respond like this so take it as a compliment if you like. Personally, I think your a roaming troll. Not a troll in the sense of being a smart ar...se, I think your an attention seeking troll. I think this article was devised for the reasons stated above and for that and the fact you have not been able to counter anything I have said - I won't be responding any further in this thread. Finally, I will not be responding to you in any way in future articles, so I wouldn't worry about me should you publish another one of these AFL bashing threads. That's how you get rid of trolls...
Warren Cooper
Roar Guru
Dime A Dozen: I wrote this article because, as person who has been impacted by racism, first hand, it has become an issue I am personally passionate about. For you to write this article off as "click bait," that says enough. That fact you would get on here and hide behind a troll alias says another. So I won't be losing any sleep over you not reading my articles, as you clearly seem incapable of offering a thought or opinion of your own, just trolling. Also, it doesn't take a rocket science degree to know that respect has to be earned, but I also grew with a virtue of respecting people regardless of their beliefs, lifestyle, political views, or whatever else. Do I agree with Tony Abbott's policies, no I don't, but here is not forum to go on about them. And I don't see the point of shaking angry fists either. There are worse things in the world to shake an angry fist at. What is fascinating is this article does not, at any time, suggest that booing is racist. Neither have I said booing shouldn't happen in a game. I don't believe in targeted booing of a player, but that's just me. I sincerely hope the booing Adam Goodes receives is not related for other reasons other than something petty like, "he plays for free kicks."
Momentbymoment
Guest
People are racist because of fear of the 'other'. It's a subconscious fear - so most people are not even aware of it - but it is there and it is very very destructive. It is this fear that provides the heat around Adam Goodes.