In light of the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in the United States, and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests, prominent public figures and organisations have united in their shared grief over such needless death.
The AFL has attempted to improve relations with Indigenous communities commensurate with the contributions made by hundreds of Aboriginal Australians to our great game.
The AFL has established programs such as web series like Yokayi Footy, Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and Dreamtime at the ‘G.
Despite this outreach, there have been numerous instances of racism that forms a blight on the game, from the disgraceful treatment of Indigenous players such as Adam Goodes and Liam Ryan to the implicitly negative treatment of players of colour, such as Heritier Lumumba, felt in their time in the AFL.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Despite the efforts of the AFL, there is one milieu in which Aboriginal Australians remain decidedly under-represented: the commentary bench.
So first off, let’s start with the two most prominent outlets in Australia for commentary: Channel Seven and Fox Footy.
Neither of them have Indigenous Australians on their commentary teams. While they have had Indigenous Australians as guest broadcasters, no Indigenous Australian has ever held a lead commentator job for either of these networks.
This might get better in local network television. I have sought this out yet have not found any evidence to suggest it. Please readers of The Roar, let me know.
When we move to radio, it does not get much better.
Triple M, for example, only hired their first Indigenous commentator, Tony Armstrong, in 2019.
ABC Grandstand has the best representation of the Indigenous community across their commentary team with Shannon Byrne and Charlie King both hailing from the NT.
This is not an irreparable situation. I believe both Fox and Seven are unaware of this predicament.
However, in light of the negative treatment of Indigenous Australians and various people from communities of colour, this situation must be amended.
It is necessary for the modern game to bring in a diverse array of perspectives to show the disparate experiences and acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous Australians to the Australian Football League.
The AFL has shown interest in improving its relations with Indigenous Australians with the aforementioned programs and playing more games in the Northern Territory and Alice Springs.
But the dearth of Indigenous Australians in the commentary box is an indictment on the current management and is something that should improve with time.
Jimmy
Guest
We did it!!! We got there!!! It’s of course because of VIIIIIIIIIIIIIC BIAAAAAAAS!!! I knew it had to be
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That's fine but then don't draw inference from one answer and template it over onto another situation.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Nah a large chunk of them would’ve started off a state schools but would’ve shown the ability to play footy and get picked up by a massive private school I know in Sydney and Brisbane where afl isn’t as big people don’t get scholarships for AFL
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Was more applying the wider trend of where indigenous Australians live not just the ones who move to the city to play footy
Boo
Guest
No you didn't mention Goodes but the article is about diversity and I was responding to Chuckakan s question of an Italian descent playing being booed so in response to your comment I used the Goodes situation as a comparison.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Have l missed something here. I said nothing about Goodes.
Nick
Roar Guru
WCE's programming only allows him to write 6 sentences. All involve some kind of anti-Vic whinge. None of them involve anything resembling a fact.
Seano
Roar Rookie
This is a very good point and something that could be rectified very quickly. Ronnie Burns on special comments would be good. Another issue the afl has is how many people in head office are indigenous? In fact how many people even went to public school? My guess is none.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Sandy Roberts was born in SA but hates the State with a passion now! Odd as that is where he was "discovered". When commenters (like me) refer to the Vic bias in the media we are pointing at the lack of genuine interstate commentators and non-biased views. Calling BT a West Australian is ridiculous (as per Sandy Roberts) and the token "Queenslanders" like Brown are not Queenslanders as such (unless you get games such as Brisbane v Freo where you can hear both Lynch and Brown but no West Australian representation). Bruce is obviously South Australian (but never played), as is Kornes (who suffers from small town syndrome and thinks he has to say something ... anything ... just make it up) but apart from the odd special comments (ie: Ricciuto) there is not much from SA on mainstream media (and that is where opinions are formed).
RT
Roar Rookie
Bruce, BT (if he still counts), Sandy Roberts, Dennis (ret.), Basil, James Brayshaw...there are quite a few.
Alchemist
Guest
I'm all for this if it means getting rid of Bruce and BT!! No but seriously, the Marngrook footy show was the best footy show on TV by the length of the flemington straight. Just talked footy and got great stories from yesteryears Champions. Didn't need to do or say anything controversial to try to stay relevant (looking at you Footy Show & Footy Classified). Gilbert Mcadam is brilliant on the odd occasion they let him on ch7, he would have to be the tip of the iceberg.
Boo
Guest
Your probably right Rowdy so those people who booed Goodes and said they weren't happy over the 13 yr old girl incident aren't afforded the same right.All for Black lives matter and players kneeing etch but I personally don't boo on racial lines only if I think the player is a smart Alec.My moniker Boo is a direct consequence of the booing saga as i thought you should be able to Boo.
Alchemist
Guest
BT is west australian. Basil also. Bruce and Hamish are South Australian....
Nick
Roar Guru
"Their tribal lands"... That's actually not true. Some do. Most don't. Don't let facts get in the way of a good story about the native needing to be among the kangaroos.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
He probably watches the likes of AFL 360, or On The Couch / Bounce type programs.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Mick's style would be a real drawcard.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But that was his dirty version of scragging not his ethnicity.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Ok, stop digging, I can't handle it.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Both Krakouers were great to watch. Jimmy was convicted of Drug trafficking and was sentenced to 16 years, serving nine in jail. Phil was shy.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Zempilas has Greek roots.