AFL fans and finding something to complain about go together like a pie and sauce.
Be it the sluggish state of the game, preposterous rule changes, or inconsistent application of the rules, the AFL has become a melting pot of dissatisfied supporters from its terraces to social media websites.
Marnie Cohen illustrated the fact that the game has become dialled to the negative to the point where an obsession with what’s wrong with the league, a club or a particular player consistently overshadows what might be great about all three.
So when fans become clued on to the fact that the AFL might be doing something to temper crowd behaviour in the stands, there was uproar, tempers flared and the booers got booing – ironically more than they had been initially.
Fans have cried out that the AFL is their game, and that coming to the football constitutes a weekly escape.
Both claims are well-founded and entirely correct. Indeed, crowds have every right to throw their whole-hearted support behind their team for 120 minutes, enjoying the successes and feeling the struggles, but not to the point where their barracking leaves another uncomfortable.
Because to do so would violate the ultra-fan’s proclamation that the AFL is the fans’ game.
At the crux of the matter is this: regardless of how vocal we might be in our support, no one fan’s enjoyment of the match-day experience is more important than any other’s.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
How many of us can honestly say that we would want to sit near or next to the proverbial ultra-fan, whose pleasure of the game is derived solely from excessive barracking, swearing and general bad behaviour – the same fan whose overpriced pie and sauce ends up over the back of your neck lest they miss another opportunity to berate a poor on-field decision.
We’ve all been there, and it ranges from comical to downright unpleasant.
Is that really the fans’ game?
Purchasing a ticket to attend a match does not give supporters a free pass in terms of behaviour. That which is acceptable within the stands ought to be outside them as well.
It is important, too, to consider the potential motives behind the recent action, be they the appalling increase in brawls that have taken place within the stands and on the concourse this season, or the unrelenting booing of champion players such as Gary Ablett.
It’s probably the fact that the AFL’s shortcomings with regards to the crowd treatment of Adam Goodes have been brought back into the spotlight with the release of The Final Quarter.
Criticised in hindsight for not doing enough to prevent his mistreatment in 2015, the governing body has since apologised to Goodes.
The AFL has a reputation to uphold, and as a national organisation, that means taking a stand and having a voice when it comes to social issues. In this sense, any one AFL match ought to be a reflection of the wider values of the community.
And these values do not include the unfiltered hurling of abuse – be it vilifying of any kind, or simply in relation to an unfavourable umpiring decision.
While there were fans who felt miffed by increased security presence at matches over the weekend, it is reasonable to assume this was more about making a statement as to the seriousness with which the league and its venues are taking this matter.
This is not PC gone mad, it is not the league stealing the game away from those who make it, it is a preventative step in the right direction to ensure the AFL doesn’t have to reach the point where – like in football – fans need to be separated by plexiglass because they can’t enjoy the game together.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
Ever been at a racetrack when a jockey returned to scale on a heavily-backed beaten favourite? People go to the footy in the hope of celebrating a win for their team. Anything that gets in the way of that is a pain in the bum and likely to be met with disapproval. That's how it was, is, and always should be.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
Mention of Goodes was gratuitous, but the rest is spot on. The AFL have created a problem out of thin air.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
I don't agree that Ablett deserves to be booed, but I fully support your right to do so.
Grints
Roar Rookie
Personal opinion only - i just despise people like him. Ran away for money. Things got tough. Ran away again. I dont actually boo incidently i just have little issues with the booing of a guy that thinks 3/4 of the crowd are going to hell.
Fortunate son
Roar Rookie
Although there appears to have been a little overreach in its early implementation I welcome a firmer policy regarding crowd behaviour. The trigger happiness of ground security will no doubt be toned down by this weekend ( The AFL hate bad publicity and the media are having a field day with this ) but the point will have been made. Those who seem to think that attendance at an AFL ground gives them a green light to to carry on like a boorish, antisocial dickhead are on notice. It’s a shame it has come to this but recent history indicates that public appeals to to an element of the AFLs patrons for civility and common decency are a waste of time. If people can’t spend an afternoon at the footy without ruining it for more evolved members of the crowd they can take a hike. They won’t be missed.
marron
Guest
Yep, the AFL in a nutshell. Warped.
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
But Gill says there is no crackdown, no change. Apparently this outfit is no longer required in Hong Kong is being diverted to Melbourne under the China/AFL Special Trade Relationship (CHAFLSTR). The thinking is that this will bring more sensitive, "softer touch" crowd control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biH30EAcTbo&list=RDbiH30EAcTbo&start_radio=1&t=3
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Why not just ban alcohol? Drunks spoil the game. If they cant go 2 hours without a drink they have a drinking problem. There is plenty of pubs they can celebrate or drown their sorrows in, after the game. At the very least segregate them from the fans that actually go to see the football. Over many years of going to the football, I have seen my share of alcohol fueled idiocy.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Kennett-esque assessment of security. Always happy to disagree with his premise.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
But do the wanna be police understand? WHat if someone stands up and accidentally spills their beer on someone's head and immediately apologies profoundly. Was it an accident though or premeditated? if deliberate, he deserves eviction, if not he doesn't. Where's the trial and jury or do we put all our faith in a wanna be cop who failed the police exam and is working for $23 an hour?
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
I think we all know that’s not what we’re talking about here... I understand there is wriggle room that probably needs some ironing out, but most of us understand what constitutes offensive behaviour.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
But ah there’s the rub Andrew. What impedes your enjoyment of the footy won’t be the same as someone else. Let’s say a Crows fan stands up with excitement at another bit of Eddie magic. He or she has just obscured the person behind them’s view and who decides whether the impact of that deserves eviction? A wanna be police office who failed the exam? Let’s say the person behind sends a text to the wanna be’s…what then?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Absolutely agree. Get rid of the bounce, just throw the bloody thing up and you’d get a far wider pool of potential umpires immediately
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
No, Chris. That’s not my idea at all. The football should be a place where everyone can go and support their hearts out and enjoy themselves. Should someone’s behaviour impede the enjoyment of another, or indeed a lot of others sitting around them, then that warrants some kind of consideration and action.
anon
Roar Pro
Is it?
RT
Roar Rookie
Criticised in hindsight about Goodes booing is pretty inaccurate. There were plenty of commentators calling it out at the time.
RT
Roar Rookie
I don't think most complainers are complaining about the crackdown more that it had gone too far, past the line, wherever that is and that the AFL are so arrogant in denying any crackdown. Another failure by the AFL and once again treating us like fools. That is what offends me the most.
Max power
Guest
Terribly warped interpretation to suit a warped agenda
ChrisB
Roar Rookie
So your idea of where society is at is that we need a police state where people are being constantly watched and threatened by thick wanna-be fascists bearing 1984 style (not even ironically given) titles like 'behavioural awareness officer' This is a joke. How old are you? Do you remember the old days of terraces and the like? Of the Sydney Hill and Bay 13? That was unruly behaviour.... (and quite a bit of fun TBH) Crowd behaviour these days is mostly so mild that this total overreaction and the responses of the social fun police like yourself is a complete joke. It says a lot about our society and its attitudes to things we personally find "offensive" or "threatening" must be shut down and stamped out, regardless of other views. I'm not a swearer or barracker. I personally do get annoyed when people yell and rant around me, but that's their right to do so, I just tune them out (and sometimes find it amusing when they're demonstrably wrong). Sure, have family areas in non-drinking zones where people can sit with their kids. I certainly appreciated these when my kids were little. That's fantastic to have these initiatives. But FFS what on earth is wrong with having a crack at an umpire? They shouldn't even be listening to comments from the crowd. People have been doing that for years, why is it suddenly a problem? And players are paid squillions. I'm sure they can soak up some people having a go if they make a mistake I'm not talking about racist, homophobic, sexist or violent language. That's not on. But surely you can call a player or an umpire a mug if they make a mistake?
anon
Roar Pro
Barracking hasn't been an issue for 120 years. For 120 years, people have figured things out for themselves. Suddenly a pressing, urgent problem in the last two weeks because Gill is trying to deflect from the upcoming release of the Goodes documentary. The pearl clutchers that the AFL is grovelling to won't attend the footy no matter how big a safe space the MCG and Docklands become. They've got no interest in footy.