James Hird has taken a swipe at the AFL over its handling of the Adam Goodes booing saga.
Sydney’s dual Brownlow medallist Goodes was booed throughout 2015, his final season.
Hird told ABC NewsRadio on Sunday that the league should have sent a stronger message to those booing the indigenous icon.
“Adam had every right, and I think everyone had every right, to be very disappointed in the reaction of the crowd,” Hird said.
“But then the commentary that was around it initially by people in authority – that people are entitled to support their team.
“That’s ridiculous because there was racist tones to the booing.”
Hird described the booing of 2014 Australian of the Year Goodes as “disturbing”.
“But I thought the commentary was probably the most disappointing … from people in power,” he said.
“Because it’s unacceptable (behaviour) and it should have been talked about as unacceptable from day one.
“I think everyone in the AFL world was pretty confident that they’d done a lot to remove racism.
“For people to say … there was an element (to booing Goodes) that was not racist is wrong.”
Hird was reinstated as Bombers coach for the 2015 season but left mid-campaign due to a lack of success as the club’s anti-doping saga continued to fester.
Some 34 present and former Essendon players were found not guilty by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, which investigated the club’s injections program in 2012.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the verdict and Essendon is still waiting on the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling.
“There’s always positives to come out of every year and I think there was a lot said about what happened to our players and a lot of fact came out,” Hird said.
“Our players were cleared of doping charges.
“That was probably the most positive thing to come out of this whole saga for us – that initially our players were cleared.”
Asked to detail his hopes for world sport in 2016, Hird noted it was “about the facts”.
“Instead of PR and manipulation it’s about the facts in everything,” he said.
“Bring them out on the table and let’s look at them, so we can move on.
“Because if we just try and brush it under the carpet and look on the field again, then we’ll always be hiding something.
“So put everything on the table and confront it and let’s move on.”
Don Freo
Guest
I do. Demetriou, Evans and the Director of Coaching, Bomber Thompson. The only 3 that no one has queried.
andyl12
Guest
No Jax. I certainly don't believe Mark Robinson when he says it was all Demetriou's fault. Do you?
Tricky
Guest
And just like that someone had to bring this one up again! I thought this issue was finally put to bed. Buddy if you worked on a mine site I'd hate to see the amount cartons you'd have to pay (actually I'd like to see that). Poor form bringing this back into the forum.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd be up for it. Increase the energy levels over Christmas. Obviously not damagong. Time has proven that. They accepted that fine because they agree they didn't advise the players. That breached Worksafe guidelines. Nothing about "doping" or "illegal substances" there. Notice WADA is playing one more little game by not announcing anything over Christmas. I'm sure if they found guilt that they would have announced it and nade them sweat on the penalty over Christmas.
Liam O'Neill
Guest
Before I lynch Jim and the gang,I'd really like to see the undeniable proof.Is it out yet or are we just vigilantes
FRR
Guest
You only have to read on the afl.com what was going on for Essendon to be fined $610k by worksafe to be gobsmacked that some people are still arguing in James Favour re; what was happening. Why would you agree to pay a large fine like that (worksafe is totally independent to the AFL) to understand Jmes has a lot to answer for. Gene you are right - should be banned for life. Even the afl site talks about potential health risks. The idiot scribes on this blog who mocked the health risks might want to line up and voluntary put themselves on this injection regime. Might help the old grey matter as well.
jax
Guest
Do you still believe everything you read in a paper?
jax
Guest
Probably because they thought that the investigation was finished only to have WADA appeal it.
jax
Guest
Andy, the title of that article you posted is: EXTRACTS FROM THE REASONS OF THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE JOHN MIDDLETON. Note the word 'extracts' - that means content was omitted. Never used you tube before mate? Give it a try sometime, you might learn something.
Bobbo7
Guest
No Don, Freo were not up to it because like previous years they don't kick enough points to beat quality sides when it matters. They made truckloads of basic errors against Hawthorn and got beaten by a much better side. If you can't see the that then I can well see why you think Hird Is so wonderful. Similar trait to EFC fans... delusion.
andyl12
Guest
Keep dreaming Don, I am still celebrating Hawthorn's flag! If you're the most content footy fan there is, then that just proves that Freo fans don't care about results.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Its a sad indictment on the game that Hird hasn't been banned for life yet. He deserves to be ostracized from the football community for the rest of his life for what he's done.
EddyJ
Guest
I think I'm being fair in my analysis. I don't follow any particular team, I just like AFL - Hawthorn were too brutal, in the same way they were too brutal against the Swans in 2014. I don't care really, I just like watching good AFL games, but fanatic are bit of a blight on the game. Like that idiot shaking his fist and almost punching a Hawthorn player at the boundary line.
Don Freo
Guest
Eddy...if you have a problem, don't read it. There's no need to "give up". Nothing to give up. Strange that you buy into something then tell the one you engage in a conversation to "give up". I'm probably the most content footy fan there is. I doubt you'll find anyone more satisfied with his team than I am. I am amazed that Hawks fans like Andy...and seemingly you...are more concerned with other clubs and never enjoy their own. You'll have a go at Adam Goodes, James Hird, Hayden Ballantyne, Nathan Buckley...but never celebrate your own. Relax and enjoy your team...or why bother supporting anyone? When the ultimate success drives you to talk about Freo, I suspect you concede what your boys did achieve was, in fact, tainted. You confirm that suspicion.
andyl12
Guest
Hayden Ballantyne paid the price for being Hayden Ballantyne. And the only thing Eddy was wrong about was when he said "Freo will be near the top in 2016."
EddyJ
Guest
Give up Don. Go out and smell the roses. 2015 is over, and there'll be good things for Fremantle in 2016. There is no such thing as truth, only interpretations. I've been fair and objective with the six that you mentioned (I remember that you listed all six, but can't be bothered trawling through them now), looked at the match again and decided that three were howlers, the other three were not. To keep saying six goals were howlers, that's an exaggeration. Take your purple blinkers off and have another look. Hawthorn were too good according to the scoreboard (that's all that matters) and smashed West Coast in the Grand Final. Who knows what might have happened if Fremantle reached the Grand Final against West Coast, it's only idle speculation.
Don Freo
Guest
Well Eddy...you're wrong. I mentioned 6. You didn't read what was itemized at all. It's interesting that you suggest I "get a life". You and Andy initiated this thread in the conversation. I am responding to you. Perhaps you should simply stop relying on me to validate that tainted premiership. You are just going to have to cope without my imprimatur.
EddyJ
Guest
"We have itemized the 6 many times". Don, you need to get a life. I analysed that match when you were going off like a pork chop a few months ago. Agree that there were three very obvious decisions that went against Fremantle. That's it. That trip at the 3/4 break was a trip, and the Hawthorn player (according to the rules), didn't run around the mark. The other two that you keep harping on about, were line ball. If Ballantyne had been more disciplined, maybe that kick wouldn't have been reversed. The umpiring performance is part of the game – yep, it wasn't up to scratch, but stop blaming the umpire and look at the players instead. Even still, Hawthorn looked a class above Fremantle, especially when they kicked six goals in a row over the first and second quarters. Quality teams don't allow that to happen. Fremantle are a good team, and will be near the top in 2016. But good teams don't blame the umpire, they accept the bad decisions, move on, and work harder next time.
Don Freo
Guest
You must have only watched half the game. We have itemized the 6 many times. 3 for Hawks and 3 absolute sitters not given to Freo. It changed the result. The premiership is tainted and unimpressive.
andyl12
Guest
Clearly you've never watched a Hawthorn match in full.