Geelong superstar Gary Ablett silenced the Richmond home crowd with a brilliant performance in the Cats’ big win at the MCG.
Geelong superstar Gary Ablett was met with loud boos from sections of the Richmond faithful early in Friday night’s MCG clash, but the two-time Brownlow Medal winner had the last laugh.
Ablett starred with 24 possessions and two goals in the 16.8 (104) to 5.7 (37) win in front of 65,214 fans.
The 35-year-old was roundly booed as the Tigers leapt out to an 11-point quarter-time lead, but the cheers of Geelong fans soon drowned out the jeers of the dwindling number of Tigers supporters as the Cats booted 11 goals in a row to set up the win.
“It’s not a concern to me and, much more importantly, it’s not a concern to Gary,” coach Chris Scott said, trying his best to diffuse the situation.
“… If you looked at the hierarchy of the difficulties of being an AFL footballer, being booed by opposition supporters is towards the bottom, I can tell you. It just doesn’t worry them at all.
“I don’t think it hurts him and there’s a possibility it could be positive.
“I don’t want to overplay it because I honestly don’t think it’s an issue.”
The unpleasantness occurred on the same day the AFL issued an unreserved apology for failing Sydney star Adam Goodes during the booing saga that hounded him out of the game.
Scott was at pains to point out that the two situations were very different, with the Goodes scenario “a stain on our football history”.
Ablett was pivotal as Geelong overcame a slow start to smash the Tigers and consolidate their hold on top spot.
Patrick Dangerfield’s class stood out, the Brownlow Medal winner finishing with 38 possessions and a goal, with Mitch Duncan (34) and Tim Kelly (32) also in the thick of the action.
Tom Hawkins was the leading goal kicker on the ground with four, with Gryan Miers also impressive with three.
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin (23 touches), Dustin Martin (26 and a goal) and Dion Prestia (30) were among the Tigers’ best players.
Richmond were without David Astbury and Brandon Ellis for the clash, the key duo joining the likes of Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance and Toby Nankervis on a lengthy injury list.
“Sides go through injury ups and downs all the time,” coach Damien Hardwick said.
“We’re in a trough at the moment but we expected to play better than what we did, especially with the fundamentals of the game that we can control.
“That’s most disappointing thing but they’re areas that we can fix.”
Geelong were two games clear of second-placed GWS heading into round 12 and improved to 11-1 with the result, while Richmond slipped to a 7-5 record.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Just recently two University teaches were sacked, but were found by the tribunal to be reinstated and compensated for unfair dismissal. The same is going to happen to Folau he will win his case. Verbal warnings don't stack up, it is reported that there is nothing in his contract to suggest what he post's on social media is a sack able offense. Personally i don't give a stuff, but like the other footballers who posted nasty sex attacks on social media and were not punished there seems double standards here. Heavy fines, but sacked from your job, it will be turned over.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I don't disagree with what you say, but surely as an openly bi man Gary's explanation can't sit comfortably with you? This issue's bigger than your love for your footy team.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure homophobic comments in any workplace can get you sacked. Freedom of speech yeah, so it's not illegal, but it would certainly be against their code of conduct.
Geelong Tiger
Roar Rookie
Actually Jonboy, you can be sacked for that. Plenty of people in the media and the public service have been sacked for the opinions they have expressed on social media. Falou had already been warned.
Peter Warington
Guest
i think you will find that cohort disappearing. (most) kids are taught to call that rubbish out these days.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure he means dobber. In US definitely means manager of prostitutes. But was he referring to my comment... who knows?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Doc I think you are the closest too it. If Ablett is a champ, and you boo him and it puts him off (as if in reality) all good. The homophobe stuff I feel was rubbish. The majority of booing fans would be homophobes too.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Raised a WA kid I know what a pimp is. First heard it in the 60s. But no idea where the term came from
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I thought it might be my brand of ice was letting me down.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes Cat, a justified booer. why do people boo Ablett, like hawthorn before any excuse.
RT
Roar Rookie
Agree to disagree on that part please Cat. I hope you see the real point I wanted to make, which is what the booing was about. Not anti-homophobia and importantly not for no reason or because he is as champion. John Ralph and Chris Scott should get off their high horses.
Cat
Roar Guru
Ablett’s first two were in play poor attempts to Shepard. Both should have been fines. No idea why he wasn’t fined the second time but Christian was also wrong to suspend him the first time (tribunal over turned it). Ablett’s third one was off the ball, out of play and completely unnecessary and intentional - same as Soldo’s - and he got the same punishment.
RT
Roar Rookie
Soldo got suspended for something that looked no different to two incidents that Ablett was not suspended for. Yes Ablett was eventually suspended, but it was for an incident that was far worse. Soldo aside, I am sure the vast majority of the booing was for Ablett's recent actions and frustration of fans at the AFL for allowing a protected species to get away with it. I heard plenty of people shouting out sniper comments, but not one about being homophobic. If Ablett cleans up his act I am pretty sure the booing will be much reduced next time Richmond play Geelong. Afterall, there was never any noticeable booing of Goodes at Richmond games.
Cat
Roar Guru
I boo. I make no apologies for it. If an umpire makes a howler and the big screens show a replay of it I’ll boo ... as do thousands. If a player gets reported for taking out a Geelong player I will rain down boos every time he touches it.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
If you think ,as I do, that sport is unscripted drama, then there will always be heroes and villains. If you shout at a player in an attempt to put them off their game /shot/whatever,that's alright. I heard Collingwood fans shouting at Sheed ,"Miss,miss,miss!" Is that unsporting? Booing that isn't racist or homomisogenist is just the same.Reducing,or attempting to reduce, the influence of a player in that passage of play. No fireworks,lasers,mirrors,just the power of the human voice.
Peter Warrington
Guest
wtf does that even mean? wtf is the pimp in this?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Actually I was going to say that booing was unaustralian. It probably isn’t true. Used to say that about rascist immigration policy. Then I discovered I was the unaustralian. I digress, maybe Cat is right, it is nothing, just ignore.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Most Aussie's don't like pimps who run to the schoolteacher and tell on them.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
So is there anyone on this site who actually boos or are we all just guessing why they do it.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Interesting, Gary Ablett Snr had a phase doing that. He was so strong and fast, he could have killed. They ended up rubbing him out for a few weeks and he stopped it.