Sydney v Hawthorn

[Doctor]

Well this is my first post since the Bloodbath. We were outplayed, outcoached, outmotivated, outenthused and out just about everything else. You could count on one hand the players who earned the right to walk off the ground with their heads up. I hope we didn't believe the publicity and just show up but I can't see what else it could be. It'll be interesting to see what the mood is like at the dinner on Friday night.

As for the fans, I didn't have any trouble, so was obviously luckier than some. A few in the next bay decided to cheer in our direction rather than towards the ground or with each other, which I always think is odd, but there was nothing in it other than passion for their own team. I had a chat with a few Hawks fans in a very 50/50 split Cricketers Arms before the game and they were all very decent. I had no trouble going into or out of the ground either, nor did I hear any inappropriate comments. I'm saddened to hear about the bad experiences of so many others though, as if having to endure our dismal performance wasn't enough.

[erica]

Another article that appeared today: Sports journalist Erin Riley trolled after commenting on AFL Grand Final

I know its from a female focused website, but its pretty sad that the original SMH article, which raised a number of issues seen by many fans at the game, has seen the author trolled like that. Australia has a long way to go to 'grow up' in this respect. Some pretty disgusting trolling has gone on in that case, just for speaking out and saying what she heard at the game is 'not ok'.

Thanks for the link mcs. I'm disgusted to read the abuse.

This is not a female problem - the abuse should concern us all, male AND female. No person, no matter what their gender, should be abused like Erin Riley was. It saddens me that this is called 'trolling'. By giving it a euphenism instead of calling it for what it is - abuse - it devalues the impact.

The fact that the article was placed in a 'female focused website' indicates that the abuse problem is only of interest to women and not to men. This is even sadder, that the SMH should think it's not something that affects everyone.

[Jewels]

Well this is my first post since the Bloodbath. We were outplayed, outcoached, outmotivated, outenthused and out just about everything else. You could count on one hand the players who earned the right to walk off the ground with their heads up. I hope we didn't believe the publicity and just show up but I can't see what else it could be. It'll be interesting to see what the mood is like at the dinner on Friday night.

As for the fans, I didn't have any trouble, so was obviously luckier than some. A few in the next bay decided to cheer in our direction rather than towards the ground or with each other, which I always think is odd, but there was nothing in it other than passion for their own team. I had a chat with a few Hawks fans in a very 50/50 split Cricketers Arms before the game and they were all very decent. I had no trouble going into or out of the ground either, nor did I hear any inappropriate comments. I'm saddened to hear about the bad experiences of so many others though, as if having to endure our dismal performance wasn't enough.

Same with me Doc no trouble at all, in fact the few Hawks fans that said anything to me (and there were only two) were both decent and seemed as surprised by our performance as we were! Very different to 2012 where they were just plain bitter.

[Untamed Snark]

Thanks for the link mcs. I'm disgusted to read the abuse.

This is not a female problem - the abuse should concern us all, male AND female. No person, no matter what their gender, should be abused like Erin Riley was. It saddens me that this is called 'trolling'. By giving it a euphenism instead of calling it for what it is - abuse - it devalues the impact.

The fact that the article was placed in a 'female focused website' indicates that the abuse problem is only of interest to women and not to men. This is even sadder, that the SMH should think it's not something that affects everyone.

The article was on the main site yesterday, it just came from Daily Life
SMH did a fair job of keeping it in the general eye

But I agree with you on the abuse, nobody should have to go through that

[ScottH]

Thanks for the link mcs. I'm disgusted to read the abuse.

This is not a female problem - the abuse should concern us all, male AND female. No person, no matter what their gender, should be abused like Erin Riley was. It saddens me that this is called 'trolling'. By giving it a euphenism instead of calling it for what it is - abuse - it devalues the impact.

The fact that the article was placed in a 'female focused website' indicates that the abuse problem is only of interest to women and not to men. This is even sadder, that the SMH should think it's not something that affects everyone.

All up it is just a form of bullying.
This is why it will never be stamped out in schools.
It is to ingrained into the nature of too many people to think that it is OK to intimidate others using whatever purpose they have at hand.

And people are right Eddie has led the charge with this, he has bullied the swans and the AFL all year.
So naturally people think it is acceptable.

[Meg]

You can add me to the list of those abused by Hawthorn fans. As I left the ground, walking alongside a group of Swans supporters, a Hawthorn fan jumped up on to a fence and screamed at us to "f... off back to Sydney you f...ing lot." Charming.

I too blame McGuire and media for inculcating this hatred towards the Swans. But most of all I am angry with the AFL for not coming out and putting the record straight on the use of COLA. The club asked them to do it and they did nothing (nor it seems reprimanded McGuire for his inflammatory statements). I regard this as pure vindictiveness by the AFL as pay back for the Swans recruiting Franklin when they wanted him to go to GWS.

[Matt80]

I saw a nice image at Federation Square before the game. A couple were walking hand in hand towards the game. The lady was wearing her Hawks scarf while the gentleman was wearing his Swans scarf.

A wish someone had photographed them and put them on the MCG scoreboard. It's the ideal we are all aiming for.

They both seemed so happy to be walking to the game in the Sun.

[Meg]

I saw a nice image at Federation Square before the game. A couple were walking hand in hand towards the game. The lady was wearing her Hawks scarf while the gentleman was wearing his Swans scarf.

A wish someone had photographed them and put them on the MCG scoreboard. It's the ideal we are all aiming for.

They both seemed so happy to be walking to the game in the Sun.

Ah, but did you see them after the game?

[Mel_C]

Eddie was apparently on Glenhuntly rd in Elsternwick today. I was there too...he is soooo lucky I didn't run into him!!!!

[Matt80]

Ah, but did you see them after the game?

One of them could have pretended to be Buddy while the other could have pretended to be Luke Hodge. A friendly kiss on the cheek from pretend Hodge to pretend Buddy would have made everything okay.

[Swanny40519]

I am really mad at Eddie and all the vile and hatred he has hurled on the Swans during the year on TV and in his radio shows. I believe this was a major factor in the disgusting behaviour of some Dawks supporters during and after the game. We were abused walking out of the game and it wasn't pleasant.

The AFL should do something about the way Eddie has raved on this year, but they won't as they treat him like a scared cow (well he is looking like the size of one recently).

[Aaron]

I watched the past 3 Swans GF comfortably at my Sydney home. My first experience of being at the MCG for the GF this time was just Terrible ! It was very disappointing to see my favourite players playing so badly. Worst of all, the abuse from Hawthorn Fans was just too much. We were standing behind our Cheers Squad at M4. Then more and more Hawks fans "invaded" the space, claiming that that area belongs to them as that is the section where their Cheers Squad have gathered for all their "Home" Games. I will probably avoid going near any Hawthorn Fans in the MCG again in the future. It is expensive and not enjoyable. Probably will just cheer the Swans in front of the TV in 20015!

[mcs]

I watched the past 3 Swans GF comfortably at my Sydney home. My first experience of being at the MCG for the GF this time was just Terrible ! It was very disappointing to see my favourite players playing so badly. Worst of all, the abuse from Hawthorn Fans was just too much. We were standing behind our Cheers Squad at M4. Then more and more Hawks fans "invaded" the space, claiming that that area belongs to them as that is the section where their Cheers Squad have gathered for all their "Home" Games. I will probably avoid going near any Hawthorn Fans in the MCG again in the future. It is expensive and not enjoyable. Probably will just cheer the Swans in front of the TV in 20015!

Just do what I've done Aaron and add Hawthorn away to the 'do not bother list'. Their fans have a very feral element which doesn't make it much fun to go to games involving them in Melbourne. Pick other away games to do in Melbourne, you'll have a more pleasant experience.

[Meg]

I had a couple of extra days in Melbourne so am just now unpacking my bag. I found my grand final footy Record at the bottom still in its cellophane sealed bag. Is it worth taking it out and reading it and then throwing it away? Or should I just throw it away unopened??

Given the result, looking at the 'Don't Go Quietly' on the front cover is a bit of a sick joke now.

[Doctor J.]

I thought exactly the same. Maybe the players should have bought a copy of the Record on entering the ground. They did the exact opposite

I have thrown it out. Same as I did for 96 & 06