ADAM Goodes played 372 games, scored 464 goals, was a two-time premiership winner, Australian of the Year and claimed two Brownlow Medals. However, all that runs the risk of being overshadowed by the booing scandal that engulfed him this year.
Some accused those booing of being racists, and others said anyone who paid money to watch an AFL game deserved to boo whoever they wanted. Regardless of which view you take, the reality is the booing carried right through to Goodes’ final AFL game against North Melbourne on Saturday night.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley took aim at one section of society, holding them accountable for the continued booing aimed at Goodes during 2015 — the media.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night, Buckley was asked if he felt moved when hearing the boos. He responded by accusing the media of encouraging the booing by giving it column inches and airtime.
“I’m not listening for it (the booing) mate, I’m just watching the bloke play,” said Buckley.
“Why give it any air? We’ve given it too much air. It’s the first thing you read about in the paper or hear about on the radio because you guys (the media) are listening for it intently.”
Herald Sun AFL writer and AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson tried to defend his industry, saying someone needed to speak up about the injustice. “I haven’t heard from anyone at North Melbourne or the AFL, I just think Goodesy’s been abandoned,” said Robinson.
But Buckley wasn’t budging.
“You’re listening for it intently because it’s a story that continues,” said Buckley. “It happens but you don’t have to focus on it heavily.
“Let’s talk about something else, let’s talk about what a great player he is because he’s been a great player and a fantastic role model and I think we need to celebrate that.
“It (the booing) can’t be the story. His story is so much bigger and longer and deeper and wider than that is.”
Buckley praised Goodes for being able to continue his great form right to the very end of his career.
“He’s got the obvious class…the only way Sydney were going to get back into the game (against the Kangaroos) was through him,” said Buckley.
“He’s been a phenomenal player for a long period of time.
“The goings-on in the last 12-24 months have been disappointing but it’s not going to taint what’s been a magnificent footy career.”
Robinson has spoken previously of his outrage at booing fans, but was especially downcast on Monday night.
“I’ve got no faith in humanity and when I was listening to the North Melbourne fans boo him on Saturday I was disgusted. I was so embarrassed for footy, I was so embarrassed and ashamed for Adam Goodes,” said Robinson.
“For him to go out of this game and say he’s not going to do a lap of honour at the MCG...it was a disgrace.
“I hope that the Swans ask him and the AFL ask him (to attend the Brownlow Medal night) and he says, ‘Yes I’ll come down’, because it will make the Brownlow Medal night.”
Goodes announced his retirement to teammates in the Swans’ dressing room after the Kangaroos ended their season on Saturday.
The booing furore, which intensified after Goodes performed an Aboriginal war dance during the Swans’ Indigenous Round clash with Carlton, prompted him to take time off from the sport in July as he missed his side’s match against Adelaide at the SCG.
Goodes is reportedly undecided on whether he will take part in the annual motorcade held for retiring players at half-time in the grand final.
No comments:
Post a Comment