Goodesy article

[Sandridge]

No Cookies | Herald Sun

Does anyone know if the club has plans yet for a Goodesy celebration in 2016?

[Bloods05]

No Cookies | Herald Sun

Does anyone know if the club has plans yet for a Goodesy celebration in 2016?

Magnificent piece of writing, notwithstanding the fact that it is published in the second-worst newspaper in the country.

[dimelb]

Thanks for putting it up, Sandridge. It's a must-read and I'd have missed it otherwise.

And I do respect Richard Hinds as a journalist.

[swannymum]

And because it has been published in that rag, the usual suspects are out in force justifying their puerile views if you read the comments below the article. Richards Hinds can only hope to educate them, but I am afraid that they still think there is nothing wrong with the booing. Unfortunately it has turned me off going to the football... Some people are oxygen thieves.

[Bloods05]

And because it has been published in that rag, the usual suspects are out in force justifying their puerile views if you read the comments below the article. Richards Hinds can only hope to educate them, but I am afraid that they still think there is nothing wrong with the booing. Unfortunately it has turned me off going to the football... Some people are oxygen thieves.

I have a policy of never reading the comments. It's the only way to remain sane in the internet age. I do have occasional lapses but I always pay a heavy price.

[rojo]

Great article****** Now it is time for reviewing the season, it is good to see the role of commentary teams in what unfolded being highlighted.

I too would love to know well ahead of time if or what the Swans might be planning in order to give him the send off he deserves. I would make the effort to fly north!

[Bloods05]

Great article****** Now it is time for reviewing the season, it is good to see the role of commentary teams in what unfolded being highlighted.

I too would love to know well ahead of time if or what the Swans might be planning in order to give him the send off he deserves. I would make the effort to fly north!

Yes, the "sitting on the fence" attitude of a number of senior commentators was lamentable, and people like Dermott Brereton just disgraced themselves. But as Hinds suggests, the timorousness of the AFL leadership was the worst feature of this whole affair. Putting commercial considerations ahead of principle in a matter of such importance confirmed my already low opinion of McLachlan. I was never Demetriou's greatest fan, but I doubt he would have failed to rise to this challenge in the way McLachlan did. It was a defining moment for him, and he was not equal to it.

[Mel_C]

I stay away from reading any comments attached to articles about Goodes. It's too depressing otherwise.

I don't think much of James Hird after his behaviour recently, but I have to commend him for his comments yesterday about the AFLs lack of leadership with the Goodes situation this year. He said that the AFL should have come out from the start and condemned the booing as it was disgraceful.

[YvonneH]

I stay away from reading any comments attached to articles about Goodes. It's too depressing otherwise.

I don't think much of James Hird after his behaviour recently, but I have to commend him for his comments yesterday about the AFLs lack of leadership with the Goodes situation this year. He said that the AFL should have come out from the start and condemned the booing as it was disgraceful.

I think Hird was using it as a forum to 'stick it up' the AFL for his own treatment by them. His views on Adam's treatment was good though.

[Goal Sneak]

They've taken the comment section away. Probably for the best.

The point that sport is not used to confronting reality is only half true. Due to extensive media coverage, sport is generally forced to very publicly confront reality. The difference here seems to be that the AFL weren't able to definitively gauge from the public what stance they should take. It's usually quite easy for the AFL to appear decisive when it comes to player indiscretions and the like as there's usually a resounding chorus for them to sing along to.

It was an extraordinary situation. I've watched a lot of sport in my 38 years and I've never witnessed anything like it. It was ugly and I cringed with every jeer. I've watched Adams entire career and it's clear to me that he never did anything in his actions or demeanour when playing the game that would warrant such an extensive barrage of hate.

If you think he plays for free kicks or you think he gets special attention from the umpire, that's not a reason to systematically boo a player every time he touches the ball. If you argue that you have the right to boo at the football, that's fine. I've booed players (and umpires). This just wasn't as innocent as that. This kept happening at multiple grounds across Australia.

When you take away the lame arguments for people to dislike Adam Goodes you're left with a talented, accomplished, intelligent Indigenous role model. This is what is so embarrassing for the game. The AFL haplessly attempted to deal with it but ultimately stretched it out to the end of the season and pretty much admitted that they gave up by announcing that they couldn't guarantee that Adam wouldn't be booed on Grand Final day. A very weak effort for a genuine star of the game. Booooo!!!!!

Unfortunately there's still a lot of morons out there that just don't like being called out on ignorant behaviour.

[Number 43]

Did this ever find its way on to RWO?

400 Bad Request

[Sandridge]

Did this ever find its way on to RWO?

400 Bad Request

I think it did, Number 43. I've read it before but great to read it again. Brilliant!

[graemed]

There are still comments available on this page and as disturbing as many are, there are some strong advocates for sanity out there. Whilst it seems too hard dealing with such people, ignoring them only provides them with a feeling of vindication in numbers. The 'mob' mentality again.

This was my contribution to the debate because I felt too many want to take away the human side and focus on the persona projected in the media.

"After reading so many comments, I fail to understand how many people believe that reporting a racist comment from a fan (not unlike other spectators have done) was in itself provocative. Moreover, the belief that because a player plays for a free kick or behaves badly on the field entitles those watching to behave like sheep and a mob at that.

I seem to remember Chris Judd committing unsavory acts on the field but he was not singled out for the treatment that greeted Adam Goodes yet their records in other ways bear a striking resemblance.

Unlike many of those involved in this discussion I have had the privilege of meeting Adam on a number of occasions both publicly and privately. He is neither arrogant, belligerent nor divisive. He is forthright, committed to his birthright and understandably anxious that the current generation and future generations of his people be proud of their heritage and he seeks to embolden them to grasp it and become."

Thanks for publishing the article it gives me hope that Adam's torment may have a positive outcome if the debate remains fresh. The AFL wants it to go away, we cannot let them forget their role in the demise of a great man and Brereton in particular has a debt to pay.

[dimelb]

graemed, thanks for sharing your contribution to the responses. Well said, and I agree with your comment about the importance of not leaving the field to the mob.

[Untamed Snark]

Great response graemed.