Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has defended Panthers fans who booed Latrell Mitchell in Penrith’s 32-12 preliminary final win over South Sydney.
While Tallis believes booing Mitchell, particularly after the game is wrong, he defended fans’ right to boo players before and during a match.
“It’s not right and are Penrith (fans) wrong, yes. But do they have a right to boo? I think they do,” Tallis said on Triple M.
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“I actually think when you pay the money, if they’re not overstepping the line, and I don’t think booing (is) … I don’t want the crowd to go woke in our game and you want them to go and boo.
“After the game, is it (booing) unfair? Yeah. Before the game when they run out, is it unfair? I’m not going to tell a fan that he can’t go to the game, pay his money, and boo or cheer a player.”
Mitchell copped a barrage of boos from Roosters fans in the Round 25 clash with the Rabbitohs, which prompted a strong response from the Souths fullback.
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“It’s a bit disappointing. Once or twice or when I’m kicking goals, then definitely (it’s OK),” Mitchell said after the Round 25 clash.
“But every run was a bit disappointing.
“You see with big Nelson with the Parramatta supporters, it’s f—ing sh*t, to be honest.
“Adam Goodes gave up his career because of it.
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“It’s not nice because we cop it every day as it is, and regardless of what happens on the field, it stays on the field. They have control over what they do off (the field) when they come watch a game.
“They can be passionate, but there are different ways on the spectrum of that.
“It’s expected. It’s warranted. I did what I did for them but now the tide has turned.”
