“You can see what it means to us,” said skipper Sam Kerr after the Matildas’ nail-biting 3-2 win over Brazil, although a few critics seemed to miss that comment.
“We were so disappointed after the first game,” added Kerr in her post-match interview immediately after the full-time whistle, “and Brazil are a top ten team.”
You’re absolutely right, Sam.
Although I must admit I missed those comments when she originally made them because they were so run-of-the-mill they weren’t worth committing to memory.
And that’s pretty much the crux of why anyone is still talking about Kerr’s “suck on that” comment.
Because – let’s face it – it was essentially the only memorable thing she said.
Why did she say it? Probably because a bloke with a microphone asked her a question, I reckon.
That’s literally how post-match interviews work.
And had it not been for Kerr making a mildly unusual remark in the heat of the moment on the back of one of the greatest comebacks in the Matildas’ history, we’d all have forgotten her otherwise unremarkable post-match interview just as soon as it was over.
Sam Kerr of the Matildas. (Photo by Zak Kaczmarek/Getty Images)
However, those telling journalists not to write about Kerr’s remarks – often in the comments section of stories they decry as pointless – are usually missing the point as well.
Here’s how the media works.
Say something interesting – generate a headline.
But say something less interesting – like “I love these girls and we’re back in it” – and it’s far less likely to create a headline, because at the end of the day it’s not really a newsworthy quote worth mentioning.
And telling journalists not to report on something newsworthy is a bit like telling your accountant not to worry about that shoebox full of receipts in your closet – it’s counterproductive and ultimately a waste of everyone’s time.
So should Kerr have even made the remark?
Honestly, who cares? It’s not like she’s the prime minister of Australia!
And perhaps those who drone on and on about sportspeople being role models and imploring us all in their shrill Helen Lovejoy voices to “think of the children” should look a little closer to home.
But then those who use things like Kerr’s “suck on that” comment to pontificate endlessly about the morals of modern society aren’t actually interested in improving things.
They just want to be heard. And social media provides the perfect platform.
That’s why the trolls come out whenever anyone of note does something momentous like help steer their nation to a come-from-behind win in a crucial World Cup game.
These sad, lonely individuals aren’t as edgy or as provocative as they’d like to make themselves out to be.
Mostly they’re just pathetic.
So as much as Kerr might think she’s highlighting how many “haters” are out there by re-tweeting a homophobic tweet from some no-name nobody with zero followers and even less of an idea, in reality she’s simply feeding the trolls.
A better method surely is to simply ignore them and keep winning on the pitch.
And perhaps, in all honesty, acknowledge that the majority of the critics who’ve scrutinised the Matildas over the past few months haven’t done so because they’re haters.
The Matildas are in with a shot. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Most are actually huge fans of the Matildas and simply want to see the team reach its undoubted potential.
That’s why so many of us back home in Australia will be up at 5am on Wednesday morning to watch the Matildas take on Jamaica in Grenoble and hopefully book their passage into a favourable Round of 16 draw in the process.
Far from hating the team or who the players are as individuals, most of us simply want to watch them excel.
And as long as Sam Kerr helps her nation do that, she can say whatever she likes.
Just keep banging away the goals, Sam, and you can leave the post-match commentary to the rest of us.
oldpsyco
Guest
Sam is a far better player than spokesperson! The team have done the job of getting through, that's all! Are they a good team = YES! Are they a Great team = we'll see! Are we proud of them = YES! But being an Australian Captain in any sport is about more than on-field skill/talent. A bit more thought into what is said and when will go a long way to adding that bit of Class that still has to be acquired.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Have you seen Rocketman yet Kangas? Good movie about the great man.
Ad-O
Guest
She can say what she likes but she better keep winning. Players that pop their head above the parapet paint a big target when things go wrong, and the Matildas are pretty lucky to have 3 points right now. They've yet to control a game against a top team and it looks like they're going home after the first knockout round TBH.
Mike Parsons
Guest
Fake news!!! lol...not even newsworthy and there have been plenty of haters..bagging out the "high line" the coach,the FFA,David Gallop and the Matildas themselves...her comment was directed at other issues and at the press and the trolls and bloggers who have been less than kind.. they where not directed at the true fans and supporters..at least I did not feel that way! Bravo and good luck against Jamaica 6-0!!!
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I no a few Union players.
Kangas
Guest
Who is Daniel you ask “Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane I can see the red lights heading for Spain Oh I can see Daniel waving goodbye “ E . John
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes, it would be like me discussing some Rugby player to you Jordan. I have no interest in AFL & know very little of their players.
OJP
Guest
... and a lawyer to boot apparently Lionheart
anon
Roar Pro
If she's letting trolls get inside her head so badly then maybe she needs to have some time out from the phone and Twitter feed.
anon
Roar Pro
I couldn't imagine Aaron Finch responding to critics by telling them to suck on it. Representing and captaining the national side comes with certain responsibilities. Young women look up to her.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Daniel is Sam Kerr's brother. He used to play for the Wet Toast Eagles.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Who is Daniel's sister? Who is Daniel?
Simoc
Guest
And who really gives a stuff what they think. I'm with the writer, Kerr can say what-ever she likes, give the journos a bread and butter story. But just switch off her social media for the campaign. There are no positives in social media for sports stars. All the coverage goes to "haters" which is why they do it. I'm with Buddy. The media in rooms before games and talking to players at halftime, after the game pretty much adds zero to the coverage of any game. It's just the decade for half witted football sports TV producers at present.
Sideline Eye
Guest
Daniel's sister is no brain surgeon or rocket scientist. What did the post game interview expect. A discussion on the splitting of the atom? However I'm not comfortable with commentators sticking a microphone under a player's nose at an inopportune time e.g. after a batsman (NOT BATTER) is dismissed & asking an inane question.
Aiden
Guest
I will double down on that and suggest she should have gone further. Can’t wait for her next interview where she talks about a game of two halves.
Aiden
Guest
The last game was pretty good. It’s less of a bore now actually due to a bit of a changing of the guard.
Aiden
Guest
Hear hear.
Aiden
Guest
Probably. That’s the problem with standing on an imaginary line, some people don’t know when they’ve fallen off it. I think it’s a bit like the pornography vs art debate, one renowned judge said that while he couldn’t spell out the difference he knew it when he saw it. Smith, wrong. Kerr, a million miles away from being wrong. I bet her teammates loved her for it.
Kangas
Guest
Steve Smith looking away or letting it slide was poor leadership imo Sam Kerr ... didn’t let it slide and her teammates will appreciate her sticking up for them .
Punter
Roar Rookie
Gloria, you are a football fan, but you say, who cares?