Marn Grook - what happened

[Eala ?ireann]

Originally posted by Sanecow
"What about the contribution of Italian players to the game?" etc

Hardly equivalent, hardly relevant, hardly likely.

That one would be extremely easily avoided through lack of demand. It's mischievous at best to suggest it as any sort of reasoning not to celebrate indigenous players, I reckon.

[Eala ?ireann]

On that point though, I remember in Aussie Stadium a couple of years back a presentation on the big screen celebrating 'foreign players' in the AFL which went through your Roccas, Bells, Camporeales, Koutifides etc etc etc. What's a foreign player in a country made up of people who at best have been here a few generations, except obviously, the indigenous players.

[Danzar]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I suspect (without any data) that Indigenous participation rates in football at any level are higher than the participation rate of the general population. I don't deny that there are some great Indigenous players in the AFL now or that there have been great Indigenous players in the past in the AFL (or VFL, WAFL and SANFL).

It's tokenism because it's two randomly selected AFL teams playing for a trophy that means nothing to the majority of players who take the field. It's a few dollars thrown at a trophy and getting a past Indigenous player to say a few words after the game, then tick the "Indigenous event" box and move on.

If it was a game between two Indigenous teams representing their states or leagues then maybe it would mean something. But then it opens a Pandora's box of "What about the contribution of Italian players to the game?" etc which is too messy to get involved in.

Fair point. That was half the problem on the weekend - there was nothing other than the standard issue short doco and a speech or two.

At least in previous years there was more of a 'package' of initiatives that weren't restricted to just game day.

It is not tokensim to dedicate a round of football to the concept. It's tokensim to make a slap-dash effort at it.

[NMWBloods]

What's the purpose of recognising it?

We have a larger proportion of indigenous footballers I suspect because they have a relatively larger proportion of damn fine athletes.

However what specifically are we recognising?

Is it an indigenous community contribution? If so, how is it a contribution from the community and not from just the individual players in question?

Is it because they're brilliant? Then why limit it to indigenous players?

Is it because the community has a tough time? Not all indigenous people do, and it seems wrong to assume they do, and some other people playing football do too.

I've done a quick search to try to find some background and meaning behind this game, but I didn't find anything. Yes, it represents the original Aboriginal game, but what is the actual purpose of this particular game and trophy?

Celebrating indigenous players in AFL is a worthwhile enterprise, but I would have thought that's what the Aboriginal All Star game was for, especially when the focus can be on that rather than as a sideshow to a fight for the 4 points.

[Sanecow]

I think in a country that loves to focus on the negative issues surrounding our Indigenous population (and the media is mad for it), it's a fine idea to occasionally highlight the positive achievements of members of that community.

[Eala ?ireann]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
What's the purpose of recognising it?

We have a larger proportion of indigenous footballers I suspect because they have a relatively larger proportion of damn fine athletes.

However what specifically are we recognising?

Is it an indigenous community contribution? If so, how is it a contribution from the community and not from just the individual players in question?

Is it because they're brilliant? Then why limit it to indigenous players?

Is it because the community has a tough time? Not all indigenous people do, and it seems wrong to assume they do, and some other people playing football do too.

::rollseyes::

If you can't come up with an answer to any of those questions, I fear for your understanding of indigenous issues in this country. (And yes, I am capable of comment even though I'm a foreigner).

[NMWBloods]

Typical...

I do understand the issues the indigenous community faces.

A single game of football with limited and unclear goals is not going to solve any of their problems.

It actually has the danger of making people think problems are being addressed when nothing has actually been done.

More than the specifics of Saturday night, I think the whole game concept has the potential to be a token act.

For some reason if I question this little thing it's considered negative to Aborigines, exactly as you have demonstrated. So that means if you support token little things like this, without consider bigger issues, that you must be a bigger supporter of Indigenous isues? Seems rather shallow and short-sighted to me.

I was simply asking some questions to clarify the purpose of the game. This is a major reason why Aboriginal issues are difficult to solve in this country. Whenever any tries to question or clarify something, it is turned into an attack.

[hammo]

There was far more promotion for the Dreamtime match between Essendon & Richmond at the MCG earlier this year.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by hammo
There was far more promotion for the Dreamtime match between Essendon & Richmond at the MCG earlier this year.

That was coz their aspirations for a final 8 spot were in dreamtime.

[CureTheSane]

I think we should recognise indiginous people.

as Australians, it's our duty to make a fuss once a year for the 'other Australians' here.

Maybe one day we will all be labelled under one title, who knows.

Where is the European day celebrating Carlton?

[GB85]

Getting slightly off track but if im not mistaken when i did a tour of the facilities we were told that trophy was worth $20,000. Could have been better spent i think.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

"What about the contribution of Italian players to the game?" etc

Originally posted by Eala ?ireann
Hardly equivalent, hardly relevant, hardly likely.

Oh I dunno, Silvagni and Hird aren't too bad.

[Tuesday]

Originally posted by Sanecow
The whole thing smacks of tokenism.

As does Women's Round.
Women's Round is not even an official 'Round' of matches in the AFL calendar, more like a Post-It note reminder to self.

[swantastic]

Originally posted by Danzar
[B]It's not the trophy itself, but the opportunity it presents here in Sydney to promote the indigenous element to our game. let alone the fact that were over 50 indigenous players [B]

Who gives a @@@@ what type of people play the game,i know i dont just as long as its a good contest.(But i like it when the swans smash there opponents)Thats why soccar is @@@@@@ too much racial @@@@,we dont need that in our game.

[stellation]

I would like the Swans to host a fixture that recognizes the contribution of Cheer Squads to the game.