On Thursday night, the AFL world finally faced a reality it had been avoiding for many years.
The country watched the premiere of The Final Quarter documentary and relived the deterioration of Sydney Swans and AFL star Adam Goodes.
Goodes is a proud Indigenous man and one of the greatest players to grace the game.
He’s a dual Brownlow Medallist, two-time premiership player, triple best-and-fairest winner and four-time All Australian just to name a few of his accolades.
I watched the 75-minute documentary in sadness and discomfort, but in the back of my mind I knew it was vital viewing.
It was both an insight into the treatment of Adam Goodes and an education of the reality faced by so many minority groups across the world everyday.
There was overwhelming feedback to the documentary with everyone on social media desperate to have their opinion heard.
And unfortunately, many have missed the mark once again.
Much of the post-premiere discussion surrounded the media’s commentary during this period of time. Many asked whose reputation was hit the worst?
Was it Collingwood president Eddie McGuire? Or former Footy Show panellist Sam Newman? Maybe the trio of Andrew Bolt, Miranda Devine and Alan Jones?
It actually doesn’t matter.
Once again we missed the opportunity to discuss Goodes’ wellbeing and what we as a nation and a sporting community can do to continue his efforts fighting racism.
For so many years, the AFL’s answer to the treatment of Adam Goodes has been to apologise and regret not acting sooner, but they didn’t do enough to try and eliminate racism.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It’s incredible for the AFL to pay tribute to the Indigenous community through dedicated rounds and ceremonies, but that may not be enough of a solution to help solve the problem.
The solution is through education.
And the answer to that is through The Final Quarter documentary.
In case we didn’t think we had the right tools before, we now have a powerful piece to educate society about racism, what it is, how it can affect people and how we can stop it.
Adam Goodes was simply trying to educate us all along by speaking out.
People just didn’t want to listen.
Over the last few days many people have owned up to booing Goodes during the 2014 and 2015 seasons but ‘not because they’re racist’.
But because he was a ‘sook’ and ‘played for free kicks’.
Is that really all, though? Because I don’t hear Geelong captain Joel Selwood being booed relentlessly every time he goes near the ball despite many believing he ducks for free kicks.
I don’t see Richmond defender Alex Rance being tormented every time he flops.
Not even former North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas was subjected to this kind of treatment week in, week out.
The irony is that Adam Goodes wasn’t actually awarded an abundance of free kicks.
It was stated in the documentary that to the halfway point in 2015, Goodes had only received 11 free kicks – over 160 players had received more.
Despite what some have been led to believe, the booing was fuelled with hatred.
Period.
No one summed it up better at the time than Richmond coach Damien Hardwick: “It’s bullying at best and it’s racism at worst.”
But how was it racist?
Well, Goodes had a voice and some people didn’t like it, so they did their best to shut him down.
Some members of society still cannot accept when a minority – a person or a group – gains a voice and uses it to advocate for acceptance.
Those supporting Goodes and his voice applauded the work he was doing.
But those who felt threatened by his voice and call for acceptance spun the narrative and accused him of being divisive.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It was a similar story for St Kilda legend Nicky Winmar.
His now famous stance against racism was first met with boos, abuse, spitting and trash thrown at him, simply for trying to speak out.
In Goodes’ case, the line between bullying booing and racist booing was drawn in Round 18, 2015.
That was the week Goodes stepped away from the game and many of his team-mates and loved ones spoke out about the effect it was having on him.
“Emotionally it’s having an effect on him,” mum Lisa May Goodes told the media.
Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack said Goodes was “genuinely struggling” with the treatment of him and that the booing was “really getting to him”.
The response to his absence by Swans and Crows supporters at the SCG was absolutely outstanding.
The players, coaches and fans from both sides put on a united front to support Goodes.
The cheers from the crowd at the seventh minute of the third quarter deafened any booing that had taken place in the weeks before.
But unfortunately it is the booing that’ll be remembered.
It drove one of the greatest players in the game’s history to surrender at the hands of hatred.
After the premiere of The Final Quarter, the Australian public have been left with a choice – an opportunity for redemption.
We cannot erase the past.
Each individual must live with their own actions, no matter how much or how little they impacted Goodes at the time.
But there’s now an opportunity to educate Australians today and in the future about racism, and hopefully in time, we can put it to an end.
This is what Goodes was trying to do all along.
People didn’t want to listen then, but it’s time to listen and act now.
It’s our time to change the narrative surrounding Adam Goodes – like we did with Nicky Winmar – and help his legacy live on for future stars of the game.
It’s our time to let empowerment and equality lead the conversation.
And it’s time for the right voices to finally be heard.
Justin
Guest
It was an interesting clips show, and I look forward to the upcoming documentary when we see interviews and discussion from Goodes himself as well as a number of people "involved". As is usually the case there are overly simplified views of the saga. Of course some of the booers were being racist. Of course some of the booers were not being racist. Of course some of the booers were just being "sheep" with no intention behind their boos. For whatever the reason people were booing (which I personally dislike) surely the issue is about empathy and when enough is enough. Goodes was clearly struggling emotionally and mentally and at what point knowing that do people continue to boo someone. We saw in the cricket world cup, Kohli admirably asking the Indian fans to stop booing Smith and Warner, whereas by contract the English cricket team took the view that they weren't going to try and influence their crowd. I wonder if it happened again, would the most respected players for the home team take the opportunity to ask the crowd to not boo a player, promote empathy and inclusiveness instead. Would a crowd listen to them ? If that didn't work could the players stop playing, walk of, or are there other avenues for them?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
English language should drop the word ironic. It is only used by people who want to show they are smart. Usually shows the opposite.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Yattuzzi - I'm not arguing one way of the other - I just pointed out the correct use of hypocrisy. It seems that many people misuse this and irony when neither usually applies.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Yeah we go back a long way. All a bit of fun.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Ha I see sparing partners. I made the mistake of being serious. We all need a bit of Billy Bob.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Ignore poor old clipper. He lost it a few years ago. Very bitter chap.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Clipper please don't argue for Spruce. I never said I had never. In fact I did say that I do occasionally see him on TV when I happen to be in the same room. I also said that I get constant "news" feeds to my phone. And there is constant advertising of his views and opinion. I have to say this is probably more that Spruce sees of Boltt. There are a lot of samples of his hypocrisyy. He accuses others of being closed minded and biggoted and how does he behave. His state of mind is not my business. What is not right is the name calling and abusse.
Nick
Roar Guru
university? you suggesting someone to go to uni? You are aware, at university people actually have to read and listen to material before passing an opinion/judgment on them. I felt compelled to mention that considering your profligacy in doing the exact opposite.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Boo hoo clipper! Yep I got you good!
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I am not being sarcastic or humorous. Look at yourself and grow as a person. I can do no more for you. They do have university courses in logic and philosophy if you would be prepared to learn. I cant say the experience has been pleasant or enlightening for me. Maybe a common theme for you. Bye
Nick
Roar Guru
Just have to disagree...meaning, you're wrong. You don't have a response. Fortunately, our legal system isn't built on "Just have to disagree". Btw, I accept the first statement. That was poorly written by me. I meant no offense and should have been more careful with my words.
Nick
Roar Guru
Lol...again... How do you know he's sanctimonious if you've admitted to not reading or listening to a word he's said? You clearly reacted to the suggestion you are a liar, so I'll accept you've never listened to him or read him. How can you possibly come to the conclusion he's sanctimonious? You, by your own admission, know nothing about him. You must love roundabouts.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Sent you a long post but it got snaffled. Hopefully you can read it one day. Funny what gets picked up. I can't even say walid Alii correctly. But deliberately misspelling is actually liberating. Don't have to worry about correct spelling of anything anymore. Billybob taught me that.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Just read this Peter, a bit of fire. At the risk of being flamed by Spruce, I have to admit I haven't watched Sam for a long long time. When I saw him last he was just trying to get attention and have the occasional joke. Certainly seen him being misogynist. I didn't like the way he treated others. He had a misplaced intellectual snobbery. He wasn't as smart as he thought he was. I was hoping he didn't hate because of race. Now Eddie, I actually went to school with him. But he wasn't a friend or enemy for that matter. I actually think he was chasing the laughs and didn't realise what he was doing. Bit like the handicapped coin tosser. Doesn't make it right. The action is racist and perhaps he fights with his bigotry. I would rather call the actions not the man. Don't feel to worried about your fellow supporters. The majority of Australians have racist tendencies. Pies supporters are just average. The problem is leadership. The politicians are following the racist perception of the public. I think you are a Melbourne boy. I am going to make an outrageous comment. We are more integrated and accepting than anywhere else in Australia. But the sorry Goodes saga proves that we are not enough. If I saw him today, I would shake his hand and say we are behind him and sorry for the foools.
clipper
Roar Rookie
If Spruce had complained about Yattuzzi making a judgement on Aly or Pickering without watching them and then complained about another personality's views admitting he never watched or read them, then that would make him a hypocrite. If Justin complains about Spruce being behaving like a bully in a forum having previously bullied numerous posters, that makes him a hypocrite. Having someone with an opposing viewpoint or arguing against you does not make them a hypocrite
penguin
Roar Rookie
Watch the Marngrook footy show. Here are 2 links, one to Margrook in 2015, and one to Charlie King, an indigenous broadcaster, debating with Andrew Bolt in 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLvMv-nEwU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k1JGDM5U0o
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with using a spade. It doesn't disqualify you from original thought. And just quietly, Spruce actually agrees with my assessment of Alyi. Calling somebody sanctimoniouss is not savaging an individual. Unlike some of the comments.
Osmond
Roar Rookie
My favourite literary line is "The man who could call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one. It is the only thing he is fit for."
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Yep he’s a massive hypocrite!
Jest
Roar Rookie
Where did I say it was OK to Boo someone if they were indigenous, that's bloody offensive. The rest of your comment I'll just have to disagree.