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It’s Tuesday morning, and we’ve had a little while to stew on the Alex McKinnon 60 Minutes interview. It’s time to canvas opinion on the subject.
I put myself in a few different places and asked people from different walks of life but with a common interest in footy about it in an attempt to encapsulate the mood.
I grabbed breakfast at my local café, popped in to see my butcher and chatted to the footy head I know down at the service station.
To my surprise, opinion was very much divided among my mates during the screening of the Liz Hayes feature.
One said: “This 60 Minutes beat up on Cameron Smith is out of line. He should at least be afforded the opportunity to present his side of the story.”
Another replied: “It is Alex’s story, not a political debate, there’s no need for balance and he can say what he wants.”
Then finally: “Cam Smith has always been a grub. He’s been a media darling for years which is why he’s been able to get away with stuff for so long.”
Interesting.
A quick scan of my Twitter feed also was scathing of Cameron Smith for his role that fateful night in March 2014. But it was also balanced by many, wondering why he wasn’t sought out for comment.
My trip around the local area this morning also produced mixed views.
At the café I deliberately perched myself behind a group of retired gents who regularly gather to discuss the world’s problems. High on the agenda this morning was Alex McKinnon.
“Cameron Smith is right, the bloke did duck his head,” said one.
“It shouldn’t matter what he did with his head, it was an illegal tackle,” countered another.
“McKinnon’s the one in the wheelchair, if he wants to have a crack at Smith he’s entitled to,” bellowed the third member of the quartet.
“I tell you what, he’s landed a gold mine with that bird of his. She’s a saint,” fired the fourth bloke.
Next stop the butcher: “Mate, that Alex McKinnon stuff was heavy going last night.
“I reckon Cameron Smith would’ve lost a few fans.”
“He came across as a heartless bastard, why couldn’t he make a call to the young fella?”
Finally, my old mate at the servo: “What a stitch up on Cameron Smith.
“I don’t think that was fair.
“McKinnon is entitled to have his say, but Smith should get a chance to defend himself,” he concluded.
My view is the story that aired was about tragedy, love, mateship and courage. It didn’t need to smear the Australian captain, despite the obvious resentment by the McKinnon family towards Cameron Smith.
I don’t blame the Melbourne skipper for his on-field reaction. It’s his job as captain of a professional sporting team to try and gain the best possible advantage for his team in any given situation.
He couldn’t have known the extent of Alex’s injuries in the heat of battle despite McKinnon being carted off on a stretcher. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
My issue is the lack of compassion in the 15 months afterwards.
Cameron Smith should’ve made a better effort to reach out to Alex instead of a couple of failed attempts immediately afterwards when it must have been extremely raw for the McKinnons.
I’m sure we’ll hear his side of the story in coming days.
The part that made me feel most uncomfortable was the constant replaying of the tackle itself. I understand the need for setting the scene to create the emotion but one view was enough before my stomach began to do somersaults.
The heroes in this story in my eyes are Tiegan Power and Korbin Sims. All anyone can hope for in life is to always have the unwavering support of your partner and the backing of your mates. People who ride the emotional wave with you through the peaks and troughs. Alex McKinnon has it in spades, and in that sense is a lucky bloke.
Alex McKinnon’s life journey will be a long, tough and expensive battle.
Ultimately if the controversy surrounding the interview means it sells more books it can’t be a bad thing.
I hope over time the wounds will heal enough for Alex McKinnon and Cameron Smith to work through their issues. Life’s too short for grudges.
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