Sam Kerr’s choice of language during her post-match interview after the Matildas’ 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil has gripped the nation.
She would probably take it back if given the chance, if not at least for the fact that her “suck on that one” comment sounded like something a six-year-old might say in the school yard.
Mike Tuckerman: Sam Kerr can say whatever she damn well likes
The Matildas’ ponderous display against Italy in their opening World Cup match raised fair and valid questions around the approach being taken and the tactics being implemented by new manager Ante Milicic.
Heather Garriock and others mocked the Matildas’ insistence on maintaining the high line that allowed ample space in behind and saw defenders caught out on a regular basis.
It appears Kerr and her squad may have felt a little miffed with such analysis and perhaps perceived a hint of unpatriotic sentiment creeping into the narrative around the team.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The critique of tactics and the questions raised around the style of play in the opening match had absolutely no correlation to any lessening of the passionate support enjoyed by the Matildas within the Australian football community.
Perhaps the motivation behind her comment lies more in the rumours of destabilisation that continue to hover, as more and more murky details emerge around the Alen Stajcic sacking.
Either way, something had obviously crept under the skin of the Australian captain and her comment was laced with anger.
I’m not quite sure exactly who the attack was launched at but the message was received loud and clear by those who understood the phrase.
An example of cheap one-upmanship, it was nothing more than a childish and crass retort from someone who should know better.
Matildas Sam Kerr has been roundly praised for the refreshing honesty she displayed after Australia’s defeat of Brazil. (Image: Supplied, Nike)
Spare me the view that it was wonderful to see such passion and honesty in the robot-like world of modern sports people. I too cringe when clichéd, stock standard answers emanate from the mouths of well drilled captains and coaches and I love hearing a more spontaneous personal response.
However, an absence of the obscene and an ability to construct a thoughtful sentence is also a prerequisite for my appreciation.
Kerr’s comment was nothing more than a reactionary insult to a perceived enemy and did little more than mount unnecessary pressure on her team in the lead-up to their clash with Jamaica on Wednesday morning.
After a disappointing result against Italy, her jibe suggested all had been mended and that any doubters would now be silenced. That is a dangerous path to tread.
Sam Kerr should know well enough that sport has a funny way of returning serve and baking humble pies. She should also be made aware that more is expected of an Australian captain in any code.
Perhaps a subtle reference to the comments of the few who appeared to be concerned about the Italy performance and how firm belief and good old fashioned hard work had righted the ship would have been a more prudent approach to the interview.
Instead, Kerr told the critics to “suck on that one” and created an environment prone to a nasty retort from whoever she was picturing when she uttered the words.
She has also missed the most golden of all opportunities: to be the bigger person and resist the temptation of stooping to the level she feels others did.
Smiling pleasantly, walking away confidently and scoring goals against Jamaica is a far better approach than the one she chose.
Should Jamaica stun the Matildas in their final group match and the Jamaica Observer’s front page subsequently uses an image of Kerr underneath the headline, “Suck on that one”, would anyone think that acceptable?
I’d tip not.
No reputable newspaper would do it. It lacks class.
A class that was seriously lacking when Sam Kerr made her original comment.
catcat
Roar Rookie
It was said in the heat of the moment after the game...so no bid deal to me. Tweeted or sit down interview of course that is different.....
Onside
Guest
Harsh Stuart. You know that, but there's a story in it .
jupiter53
Roar Pro
I respectfully disagree, Stuart. Let me tell you why I thought her comments were fine. The team had just shown the spirit and skill to come back from 2 goals down to win. Sam was obviously still full of the emotional energy that had powered their performance. I was aware of the criticism that had been levelled at the team after the Italy game. I thought she was reacting to that. Personally I had been critical, and I thought much of the criticism had been justified. If that had triggered Sam and the team to react with such fierce determination then as far as I was concerned she could say what she liked in the heat of the moment about me and the other critics. I was not yet aware of the pathetic homophobic rubbish she has been targeted with. I would suspect now that this was probably the major part of what led to her spray. Why on earth should she be expected to take that crap and turn the other cheek? To me the best response is to be out and proud in your own person. So overall I think your reaction is oversensitive. I find Sam refreshing in this era of media managed automatons. She may yet mature into a benign elder stateswoman, but I am happy in the meantime to put up with some minor gracelessness as part of a very impressive package.
bob
Roar Rookie
We still talking about this are we? Wow.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Let's agree to disagree on this one.......I respect you too much.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
If they don't go on and win the tournament, I guess she'll know how it feels for someone to tell her to "suck on that" because I can guarantee you, it's the first thing her critics will throw back at her if/when Australia fail to win the tournament. I didn't have too much of a problem with it, but I would've preferred she just let her football do the talking. It's also shown that she's allowed outside influences to enter her headspace, and that's not good thing at the World Cup.
Waz
Roar Rookie
No, I think you’re way off the mark here. The critics she was referring too have been attacking individuals sexual orientation over a sustained period of time. The genuine “football critics” probably didn’t even register after the Italian game.
stu
Guest
Stuart, I believe you nailed the issue, put the comment in the right context and hopefully slowed the 'snowflake' response by the offended.
Griffo
Roar Guru
+1 Go you good things! 5am is not a bad time to get up for a game.
Nick
Roar Guru
Sam Thaiday in a post-match interview compares a scrappy win against NSW to losing your virginity - not great, but gets the job done. He gets plaudits for his 'wit' and laughs all round. Sam Kerr responds to trolls and baiters with "suck on that one" and she gets this article. Double standards much? Stuart, this is a non issue. She's allowed to respond to low life's in anyway she pleases. You're victimising trolls.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Come on you Ausy girls!
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well Stuart did warn us yesterday in Mike's piece ;-) I don't think we'll see this sort of comment much again - and likely how many such matches over the next four years? It is a World Cup... - but it did highlight a number of things, not least of which is both media cut-through into the team camp in tournament lock-down (Staj; Reid; Italy loss) and the SM crap that flies their way (which is likely what all players and people face). No doubting the country is behind this team for tomorrow's game.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
Stuart. sorry on this one you are very wrong, not just a little wrong but calling an elephant a type of fish wrong
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
20 hours out from our next world cup match And we're still talking about this non-story.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart. I hadn't seen that. And no, I don't think you dislike Sam. But she doesn't fit the mould of a normal Australian captain and I think a few journalists will struggle occasionally with her style. I'd rather she keep it than try to fit the mould. That said of course, they're all big girls now, in the professional game seeking parity so any fair criticism can only be expected.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'll be up at 5am working on the game and cheering her on as I always do. I'm just calling a spade a spade in this instance.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
You have missed something. The details in regards to Compliance Committee Chairman Greg Griffin being denied access to documents relevant to the Stajcic sacking came to light last week. A third murky layer. It is interesting how some people think I dislike Sam. I don't, but we can't have national team captains speaking in that way.....well, in my view anyway.
XI
Roar Guru
"I’m not quite sure exactly who the attack was launched at but the message was received loud and clear by those who understood the phrase." I mean, it's not the most difficult sentence to parse. This isn't a controversy or an issue. It's barely worth a twinge of the mouth.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I think you're overstating it Stuart. An attack? Hardly, and more murky details about the Stajcic sacking? That was long ago now wasn't it, a week before their first game when that apology was issued, or have I missed something? You are probably closer to the mark describing it as childish, or immature. This is her first tournament as captain and she's hardly experienced with media interviews. This is what you get with Sam, a younger, refreshing in many ways, voice. She's not bounded, or hasn't learnt the bounds yet, of media interviews, giving the standard but saying nothing answers. And let's hope she never is. Place your classroom rules to the side and try to live with it Stuart.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Poise, Posture, Grace! Good call Stu, I'm with you; on the other hand, I love Sam! But, I hope she WILL do a little better after the Jamaica game.