By Mathew Stokes
We lost one of the best players and human beings from the game because we did not react quickly enough when Sydney great Adam Goodes was relentlessly booed during 2015.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players were shattered that we had not spoken up more to support Adam when he needed us, and we resolved to join together to support one another if we sensed another player was being treated unfairly.
And the AFL and the rest of the football community joined us in wanting to do that because we were all, to some extent, ashamed and embarrassed we had not done more at the time to support one of the game’s greats.
So, well done Collingwood for acting in response to the game’s best player for the past 15 years, Sydney’s Lance Franklin, being booed on the weekend.
They stated their position clearly and unequivocally and showed the shift that is occurring at that club as a result of the recommendations arising from the Do Better report and the excellent, brave leadership from board member Jodie Sizer, a Djab Wurrung, Gunditjmara woman.
From my vantage point, Collingwood have taken more responsibility to ensure the situation did not get out of hand than the AFL took in the previous 10 years with the clubs often leading the way in dealing with these issues. They have a greater presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their ranks than the AFL, which always helps.
Lance Franklin was booed by a small section of the Collingwood faithful at the MCG.Credit: Getty
Now for those who say booing “Buddy” on the weekend had nothing to do with racism, they are probably right.
My sense is that 95 per cent of the pockets of the crowd who were booing him were doing so because he is a legend in his twilight who has made many games miserable for Magpie fans over his amazing career.
But what anyone booing is doing, regardless of intent, is providing useful cover for other parts of society, an underbelly who wants to boo for reasons most football fans would not even contemplate. They love the drama and the hurt it might inflict on an individual who is different to them.
The league also know that with the Voice referendum coming up and their likely support for the Yes vote, the potential for racist incidents sadly elevates.
The argument that we boo him because he is a champion helps those people achieve what they want.
Let’s face it, everyone who loves football knows “Buddy” was a gift to the game. Those people can make their voices louder to drown out the boorish booers.
People might also think we are jumping to conclusions about what is behind the booing because of what has happened in the past but from my perspective that’s not an unreasonable leap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make.
The sort of disrespect “Buddy” was shown creates a really awkward situation if you are an Aboriginal person in Australia because the sound carries uncomfortable undertones.
I can’t say whether each individual has right or wrong motives, but I can say the collective sound of booing is an ominous one for Aboriginal people.
It also detracts from the 95 per cent of supporters who barrack with passion, humour and are amazing for the game we love to watch and play.
The AFL had a responsibility to get on the front foot and be proactive before the booing got to the stage it got to with Goodes.
In future, what’s good for the goose has to be good for the gander.
I also find it a bit galling to hear from some commentators who are happy to say whatever they like about players and officials telling supporters they need to show more respect to players. I’m sure many fail the pub test among fans on that front.
Latrell Mitchell and Adam Goodes have both been the targets of racial abuse at games.Credit: NRL Photos, Getty
However, there are limits to the argument that you can do what you like once you have paid your entrance fee. It’s pretty simple. If your actions are affecting another’s wellbeing, don’t do it.
Don’t get me wrong. I have booed before at sporting events, unhappy with decisions when watching my beloved Rabbitohs in the NRL or annoyed with NSW in State of Origin games. But I learned to stop once I understood there was a lot more to the action than just a way to express emotion.
Sydney coach John Longmire told the media on Tuesday that “Buddy” was unruffled by it all. I am sure he would prefer to be out of the spotlight.
He is only in Victoria once in the next eight weeks but when he is here it would be great for the 95 per cent who barrack like legends to show their support.
Mathew Stokes is a Larrakia man who played 200 games with Geelong and Essendon. He played in Geelong’s 2007 and 2011 premiership teams.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
