The AFL season has come to a close and the trade period has now begun. That sentence seems somewhat anachronistic, but I guess it captures the permeating nature of AFL in our society, a game that never really stops.
It’s of no surprise then, that in the aftermath of the grand final, the football world continues to generate stories, some which make the Hawks win seem like it was an eternity ago.
For me, two stories in particular have grabbed my attention this week. At first I thought that they were unrelated, but now I can’t seem to think of one without the other, as though they are somehow inextricably linked.
The first belongs to Erin Riley, the second to Brian Taylor.
Let’s start with the first story and the main protagonist: Erin Riley.
Riley, like most sports journalists in Australia, wrote an article about last Saturday’s grand final. Unlike most sports journalists, however, she became the victim of Internet trolling.
In response to her article – which challenged the AFL to take a stronger stance on racism, sexism and homophobia – Riley was met with a barrage of abuse.
How ironic. Riley writes an article urging the AFL to foster a greater sense of tolerance, equality and inclusiveness in the game and the overwhelming response she receives is one of complete intolerance, inequality and exclusiveness.
One troll labelled her a “shit person”, another troll labelled her a “bitch”, while another troll said that “women are dumb c**** who don’t know shit about footy”.
I guess what these trolls don’t understand is that Riley actually knows quite a bit about football. In fact, she completed her Honours thesis on AFL in NSW prior to 1982, has taught sport history at UNSW and has even been a guest lecturer at Georgetown University for Australian sport history.
Satisfied, trolls?
Fast forward a few days and we come to the second story with 3AW announcing that they and Brian Taylor will be parting ways.
It is of no surprise to me that after five years at the helm of 3AW Football, Taylor has been relieved of his responsibilities. He had a gaffe-ridden year, making two homophobic slurs, the most notorious on Channel Seven where he labelled Harry Taylor a “big poofter”.
What does surprise me, however, is that Taylor is set to move back to the station from which he was poached five years ago, Triple M. It seems unusual that another radio station would be so eager to take on a liability like Taylor, who thought it was acceptable to repeatedly make homophobic slurs.
But then again, perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised. After all, Triple M – the self professed “home of football” on the radio – stands for the same masculine hegemony that Taylor embodies himself.
Not one female commentates or reports for Triple M‘s football programs. I know this because Triple M tweeted an image earlier in the year to celebrate their ratings success – a picture of 25 white, middle-aged men.
This is where the two stories collide. Riley, the female sports writer ridiculed, mocked and taunted for her article on the AFL’s insipid stance on sexism, racism and homophobia, and Taylor, the male football personality that makes homophobic slurs, yet is recruited and therefore rewarded by Triple M.
In her article, Riley says that for too long it has been “acceptable to exclude and marginalise female, racially diverse and LGBTQI fans”. The abusive response to her article, coupled with Taylor’s move back to Triple M, confirms that this exclusion not only exists, but is alive and kicking.
The AFL has a great capacity to act as a vehicle for social change, but when the media that report on the AFL are representative of only a small share of the game’s supporter base, this capacity is somewhat diminished.
We need greater diversity in all levels of football so that people like Erin Riley don’t have their credentials questioned by malicious trolls, and so people like Brian Taylor aren’t rewarded with another radio contract for making homophobic slurs.
Declan McAllister
Guest
i think that next season will be better.
bryan
Guest
The other "football" codes commonly played in this country were originally devised in 19th century England.which was "was exceedingly white and exceedingly patriarchical,". Tolerance for people of other races,sexes,sexual orientation,or even "social class" was not at all high on the priorities of that society.
Andy B
Guest
I said to my partner at the start of the year it was interesting how Wayne Carey had been introduced into the Seven coverage, In particular the major Friday night football slot. Every time I look at him I can't help but remember the Andrew Denton interview when he said he held his wine glass out and his girlfriend "leaned into it". Fair enough if the past happened and you get a second chance but that's what I remember most of him now. Along with being led away in cuffs in the US. His smarmy grin really annoys me. BT I take with more of a pinch of salt. He is a dinosaur from the 70s and 80s footy scene where the jokes he says today were probably funny back then. They aren't anymore.
timbo
Guest
Some perspectives about your article...1. you failed to mention that Erin Riley is a swans supporter and her article was condemning the behavour of hawthorn supporters at the GF.....so the timing of the article did make it appear to be sour grapes, and it begs the question would she have made an issue of this if the swans had won ( and perhaps the hawks supporters would have been more tempered with their team losing and the swans supporters more aggressive). Secondly, do you think the people who disagreed with the article would have backed off if it was written by a male...maybe there was always going to be the same reaction to it no matter the authors gender. 2. Is it not a sign of progress that BT has been weeded out of at least one media outlet, Rex Hunt carried on unchecked for years at AW.
Shmick
Guest
The word "tolerance" is key here. If you have to push for tolerance, you've already lost the battle. Also I noted that you referred to the AFL in NSW 1982, which is confusing given that the AFL was not formed until 1990.
Redb
Roar Guru
There are idiots at the football, for some its a release to be obnoxious and anti PC. It's no excuse. But to paint the AFL as having this problem is a bit rich after her team got pantsed in the Grand Final. Raw emotions, the humiliation. Erin also made a point of retweeting every stupid comment and say "see"
Fletch
Guest
AFL off-season: time for women, gay men, dwarfs and non-Anglos to be very, very afraid. Drug dealers however, welcome the post-season business boom.
fiver
Guest
Thats great dmak, but your comments about female representation in RL is wrong. There is an Australian RL womens team - The Jillaroos. Also many female administrators, reporters and fans.
Lroy
Guest
suck it up vegans ha ha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RG1YFIVDUg
Domitian
Guest
It may be "the Australian game" but it is one that was fashioned by an Australia that was exceedingly white and exceedingly patriarchical, maybe this is all that is being reflected by its fans and commentators. It is a game that reflects that dominant white, patriachical culture. Yeah, you should try and change it but it is what it is by its very nature and as you can see by the twitter response, you would be sailing into the wind. If you don't like it, there are other football codes that reflect a more multi-cultural, progressive Australia that you can get into.
dmak
Guest
RL people use Ian Roberts as an example of the NRL being more accepting of homosexuals .It is almost 20 years since he announced him homosexuality and there has not even been one other open homosexual in the league. I wonder why this is. If Ian Roberts was at the peak of his career when he came out as gay then it is rather sad. This is because he only ever player other 12 matches due to "injuries". In answer to your other question women are found throughout of the AFL community unlike in the NRL where they are mainly found providing entertainment through dancing on the sidelines of games (The VFL abandoned the dancing girls back in the 80's) -- Females Umpire in the AFL -- Female are equal members on commentary teams. -- The head football writer for the Age is a Women -- one of the AFL Commisioners is a Women -- most clubs have at least one Women as a board member some have two. --The President of the Richmond Football club is a woman (Much more higher status than a CEO) . Last March the Acting CEO of the Geelong Football Club was a women. --St Kilda has a Women on their coaching panel. --Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have their own womens teams which are selected via a draft made up of women from around Australia. --They also make up almost half of the crowds at games.
AR
Guest
Well, if the lamington was the only dessert invented in Australia by Australians, then yeah, it *would* be THE Australian dessert.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Great article. I have not been a fan of BT's commentating for awhile. That is because I don't think he understands that much about it, or at least cannot verbalise it. This year he simply made it clear he can't commentate. The other side of the coin is embarrassing for the AFL. We need to grow up as a nation to let these bafoons know what they did was not right. A bit of dig at the other side is fine, but calling abuse out at the footy is intolerable - to quote The Simpsons, "Won't somebody please think of the children?" (Like many clever Simpson lines, I think that was endorsed elsewhere)
Josh
Guest
Your comment should have read 'the lamington is THE Australian dessert' because that's the argument. Apparently the reason for lamingtons not being popular these days is the immigration department bringing in too many falafels.
TW
Guest
posted in error
AR
Guest
Garbage. The lamington is an Australian dessert. If you don't eat lamingtons, it doesn't mean you're not Australian...it means you don't like lamingtons.
Josh
Guest
By saying it is the Australian people's game you are implying anyone who isn't a part of it is not Australian.
Declan McAllister
Guest
what is next season going to be
clipper
Guest
The úndertones of racism' comment has me bemused - perhaps Josh can illuminate us on what he means. I think what he is trying to say is 'I hate AFL and everyone in Western Sydney should as well'
AR
Guest
If we use Char Grill and josh's rationale, Rip Curl and Quiksilver are not Australian surf brands because: a) they were started in Victoria; and b) not every Australian surfs.