Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has stuck his neck out to support the Yes vote in Saturday’s referendum even though it will lead to the usual calls on social media for sportspeople to keep their political views to themselves.
A week after Penrith NRL co-captain Nathan Cleary did likewise, the Magpies skipper told ABC Radio National on Tuesday morning that he thought it was important for Australia to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution.
“I’ll be voting yes. To me, I feel like it’s an intuitive next step and seems to be an important and practical way to help Indigenous Australians,” he said.
“There are certainly people out there that want you to shut up and play sport, but we’ve seen all around the country, like with Nathan Cleary, athletes are human beings and citizens of the country too, so they can exercise their right and say what they want to say and they can do it in a really healthy way.
“The argument around division, to my mind there are already advisory bodies for Indigenous Australians that have come and gone as governments have changed.
“The mechanism has kind of already existed anyway, so by making it sort of permanent in the constitution, it’s just locking it in. So in that way it’s not anything new.”
Meanwhile, premiership-winning teammate Nathan Murphy could be forced into early retirement after he copped a 10th concussion in the AFL Grand Final win over Brisbane Lions.
The AFL medical concussion panel will make a ruling on the 23-year-old defender’s playing future in the near future, according to a NewsCorp report.
He made the decision to sub himself out of the match after colliding with Patrick Lipinski even though he passed the on-field concussion test because he had blurred vision.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. It’s all turned out to be a waste of time and a backward step. Might as well have called it off months ago. The failure to focus on and explain the “why” it was needed instead of the getting lost in the “how” has been costly. The “no change” campaigns will always have an easy advantage with these things.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
I agree with that Pete. Horrific history and I have always loathed racism. I just don’t like the idea of any race being mentioned in constitution. It is a hard one to be absolute about, but that is the decision I ultimately made.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Yes I agree, it was good of him to speak up
PeteB
Roar Rookie
One major difference Chris is all other races chose to come here under the current system of government. Our indigenous didn’t get a choice. Whatever way we look at it, their land was invaded. They don’t get a choice of another country to return to. Time can’t be reversed, but we can at least listen to them for what can make their life better rather then dictating it to them.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Sadly this referendum will fail. The selling of why this needed has been poor so I won’t blame you :silly:
Angela
Roar Rookie
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has stuck his neck out to support the Yes vote in Saturday’s referendum even though it will lead to the usual calls on social media for sportspeople to keep their political views to themselves. As the AFL publicly supports the Yes vote as does - as far as we know - most of the players and coaches and as Darcy Moore's decision does not impose any serious accountability, sacrifice or principle on him, not sure how he is 'sticking his neck out'. Nevertheless how admirable, how brave, how upstanding. Three cheers for Darcy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I love the AFL advocating what it is. It seeks the indigenous voice in issues affecting them in the AFL. It would not, however, punish a dissenting voice on this issue. It wouldn't be legal to do so anyway.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
ok, I have been hoodwinked. Like I said, I do not want to see any race mentioned in constitution, and I hope I am not alone come Saturday night.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
You go revel in your apathy then, Chris. Pray tell me, what is your solution for genuine change? You've been hoodwinked.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
is it really that black and white? I voted No because i do not want the constitution to refer to any race, and that little is going to change anyway.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Goon on Darcy Moore, but I voted No
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Players have spoken against established AFL positions in the past. Not sure why you'd think this is different. Perhaps, considering the fact every team has indigenous players on it that maybe - just maybe - the players are all voting yes, and they've not been conned by a bunch of lies and American dribble about the "sacred" nature of our constitution?
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
I agree with you. I'm just not sure that the AFL does.
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
Because they would be speaking against the public opinion of the AFL.
RT
Roar Rookie
There is no point blaming No campaigners. The Yes campaign has been hopeless.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
I think you might fail to understand that people can have different opinions in Australia, and can freely share them in both private and public arenas.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why?
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Well said Kevo
Kevo
Roar Rookie
I hope Murphy is ok, was worried about the consequences of that knock with his history. Health comes first, he'd be a huge loss. Glad he has a premiership under his belt.
Bandicoot
Roar Rookie
Wonder what would happen if an AFL player came out and publicly supported the NO vote? Probably get fined or suspended.