Last weekend, a controversial decision made by referee Grant Atkins and his video referee, Jared Maxwell, potentially denied Manly a win against Newcastle.
We can argue for hours whether the decision was right or wrong and we can all argue whether Manly were truly denied a win or not.
While I believe it was a penalty, there isn’t absolute certainty that Daly Cherry-Evans or Reuben Garrick would have scored if Manly were given the shot at goal.
And if they were truly destined to win, they had approximately 79-and-a-half minutes to make it happen against a Newcastle side that had lost Edrick Lee and Kalyn Ponga.
However, what caused more controversy and debate was not the penalty itself. It was Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake in the heat of the moment approaching Atkins and saying, “He pushed him in the back you fucking retard.”
Fonua-Blake was sent off after the final whistle.
But the hulking Manly front-rower wasn’t finished here. In the sheds, it has been reported that his tirade continued by saying, “Are your eyes fucking painted on you bunch of spastics?”
Virtually all have stated that Fonua-Blake’s choice of wording is unacceptable.
NRL chairman Peter V’landys has said he believes Fonua-Blake’s two-week suspension is not adequate and will look to involve the prop in work with a school for children with special needs. Andrew Abdo, the current NRL CEO, doubled down by saying, “There is no place for comments like that in our game.”
Fonua-Blake has apologised. I listened to the six minutes of his press conference and I commend him for the comments that he made, admitting that he didn’t know the true meaning behind the words he used.
Let me shed some light on this.
The word “retard” is defined by Cambridge as “a person who has a mental disability (often used as a general term of abuse)” or “a stupid or mentally slow person”.
The word “spastic” is also defined by Cambridge as “suffering from cerebral palsy”. It is defined by Collins as “someone who is born with a disability which makes it difficult for them to control their muscles, especially in their arms and legs”.
However, what is important when words like this are used is intent. And Fonua-Blake’s intent was to cause offence and hurt to another individual.
Nowadays, these words are used in common language to describe someone who is acting in a manner that is silly, stupid or acting in a way that is not deemed as ‘normal’.
I played sport through my younger years and I understand that there is adrenaline involved, that your emotions are heightened while your ability to control your impulse is lowered. But regardless, language of this nature is absolutely unacceptable. Especially when the game of rugby league is trying to promote inclusivity and diversity.
We have seen stances recently against how we act with respect to racism, diversity, inclusivity and gender equality.
Fonua-Blake himself was very vocal about Erin Molan appearing to mock the pronunciation of Islander names on radio and even referred to Erin as a “gronk”.
While what Erin did was unacceptable, but so was what Fonua-Blake did.
There is a lot of pride in our society and a goal among many to become more ‘woke’ promoting social justice, but why are derogatory words that demean an individual with learning disabilities still so prevalent?
I hear the comments stating that I am against freedom of speech. But freedom of speech and hate speech are in no way the same. Fonua-Blake’s comments are of the latter category.
It is just general courtesy, respect, politeness and human decency that you refrain from using such words. Courtesy, respect and human decency are fundamentally different to political correctness or freedom of speech.
We have become more educated on the impact of racism and sexism in society – and rightly so. But now is a fantastic opportunity to bring more education to verbal discrimination and insults involving those with learning difficulties.
Seeing comments on social media stating “he’s not wrong” in reference to the use of words that Addin Fonua-Blake has used, highlights a need for education for all.
I implore all of us to take this opportunity to further our understanding of the impact of words demeaning individuals with mental and learning disabilities, much as we have in recent times with issues such as racism and sexism.
Contego
Roar Rookie
I am glad to see that you believe an adult playing NRL should compare themselves to someone at school. I can slightly accept (but not condone) the on field outburst on the basis it was in the heat of the moment – though it is offensive. I personally find the one in the dressing room considerably worse on the basis that it was after he should have settled down and I also find that wording even more offensive. It can’t be supported and his apology was also pretty poor.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Not upset at all. However if you’d like to think that your childish comments have that impact then good for you.
Jeb
Guest
Haha, your reply would say otherwise buddy. A little upset are we bully boy?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Your opinion is of absolutely no relevance to me. Get back to your mob pile in
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Surely you're not a Broncos fan?
Nick
Roar Guru
Well done forty twenty...siding with the racists
Nick
Roar Guru
I ask and advocate for change... You just seek to excuse and tolerate it bad behaviour if it means your team wins games.
Jeb
Guest
Oh mate, you’re valour knows no bounds. Unfortunately for you those with the pitchforks are now the good guys But you’re free to welcome back your wife-beating, anti-vaxing bullyboy hero
Jeb
Guest
Yes - you heard me. You don’t have to read them let alone complain about them. I’m actually interested in why you’re annoyed that so many people think disgusting bullying behaviour is an issue? Disappointed the worlds gone soft as the days of slagging off whoever you please are over? IMO the NRL has handled this well in turning it into a question of education/overcoming ignorance. The monetary punishment is irrelevant. AFB’s actions long term will determine whether he’s learnt anything. I’d like to believe he has and that more people have learnt that the language he used is gutless, hurtful and has no excuse
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Forced to read the article? There’s been nothing but one after the other and they all say the same thing.. so today he cops $20,000 and made to do community work.. is that enough or should he be made to wear a hair shirt for the rest of the season.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I've got no problems with him being punished and fined and I'd like to say I'll welcome him back in a few weeks but I don't think I'll get away with it. You can only fend off so many pitchforks.
Jeb
Guest
Too gutless to come to AFBs defence? Love a comments like this as if you were forced to read the article. Articles like this wouldn’t be necessary if the game and AFB responded in any way near correctly.
Lifeless dud
Guest
Wake up - you’ve missed the point. He’s made offensive disparaging remarks about people who are part of our society. Not people on the other side of the world - people I (and most likely you) know. And mate the offensiveness isn’t just apparent, it’s real. I bet it’s tough for you these days when you can’t just slag off whoever you feel like
Tony
Roar Guru
And you'd probably be the first to jump in if somebody who didn't know AFB, and would never meet him, went on-line to racially vilify him. There are those who are permanently offended, and those who just become particularly offended when a gronk with a tiny brain like AFB goes off.
Skidmarx
Guest
Offence culture is repulsive. Lifeless dud people with nothing better to do than lecture others on their apparent offensive behaviour. The concept that you’ve offended someone on the other side of the world who you don’t know and will never meet can only come out of a head with schitforbrains .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Hey Moooosey , Seeing that your standards are so high , why are you still following the NRL? Bottom line , according to your compelling logic, is that you are supporting and condoning a code that welcomes convicted wife wife bashers . Makes you just as bad as the criminals then doesn't it in your world of lofty standards. Try reading the apparent incoherent rabble I wrote and respond to my challenge. What has Walker done , exactly.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I gather you are reply to Moosey and referring to Lodge?
Skidmarx
Guest
OM , up to your usual mindless waffling I see . You’re a BLM champion, yet the guy they put on a pedestal was not only a woman basher but a home invader and a thief . You’re not only a lot thicker than you attempt to appear but you also epitomise hyppocrisy .
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Another day and yet another article on this? Nothing new being said and the comments are all the same old pile in
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think ignorance comes into BD. AFB knew these words were offensive, so whether he knew their meaning IMO is irrelevant. His intent was to insult an official and that;s simply not on.