How The Aussie Sporting Community Is Rallying To Support Adam Goodes

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Published

July 30, 2015

The dominating news story of the week has been the on-going issue involving Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes and the treatment he continually receives from AFL crowds.

Goodes has been granted time away from his duties at the club – and will not take the field this weekend when the Swans take on the Adelaide Crows – and is reportedly even considering retiring from the game altogether, due to the impact the continual, racially-motivated booing and abuse is having on both himself and his teammates.

The media has erupted in debate over the issue, with many standing firmly in the corner of Goodes. Including Charlie Pickering and The Weekly, who ran this segment last night.

‘Course there are those who stand in opposition to the prevailing tone of thought (seriously, when even TRIPLE M is stating that you’re being a racist gronk, then you’re probably being a racist gronk). But that murderer’s row of names – Alan Jones, Miranda Devine, Andrew Bolt – should come as very little surprise to anyone familiar with the traditional proprietors of lowest common denominator media landfill.

The Australian sporting community is rallying in support of Goodes, and calling for calm and civility from supporters. The Crows have urged their fans to stop booing this coming weekend – with the game taking place at the Swans’ SCG home, that seems unlikely to have occurred regardless. Even South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has stood in support of Goodes.

To Adam Goodes you should play- I’m confident Crows fans will treat you with respect this weekend and you’re welcome in SA anytime

— JayWeatherill (@JayWeatherill) July 28, 2015

Meanwhile, the Richmond Tigers have announced that their team will run out in their indigenous “Dreamtime” jerseys for their Friday night clash with Hawthorn as a mark of solidarity.

Tomorrows front page tonight @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/qw4IDt7dKF

— damon johnston (@damonheraldsun) July 29, 2015

And the support from fellow athletes isn’t limited to just the AFL. Indigenous NRL stars are planning to show their support this coming weekend by performing Indigenous war dances – similar to the ones performed by Goodes and teammate Lewis Jetta – during games.

North Queensland Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston and South Sydney star Greg Inglis are among those believed to be planning the dances during this weekend’s Round 21 NRL clashes. With Thurston confirming his involvement to The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ll show my respect for Adam, indigenous athletes and all the indigenous people with a little move on the weekend if I’m lucky enough to score.”

Meanwhile outspoken boxer Anthony Mundine has launched a fiery message of support to Goodes in a post on Facebook (re-posted as originally written).

“I wanna say I stand 100% behind Adam Goodes ! It should motivate you to be better then you already are …don’t let it get to you bra & talk bout retirement ! Leave on your terms ! Racism is build into there psychic (government)since the invasion in 1788 …we as blacks will always be looked at as inferior! Well we ain’t inferior we all are all human beings & equal…there are alot good white people that far from racist & understand the oppression injustice & plight of black Australia ! People like you that face this racism need to stand strong & be a warrior like our warriors that resisted injustice since the horrific unlawful take over of the aboriginal land …government still oppressing our people in every way ! BLACK is strong BLACK is beautiful BLACK is not what it is depicted in there dictionary ! You got lots of support my brother STAY STRONG !!!”

“Further more i think every indigenous athlete should do a war cry dance in support of Adam Goodes for the rest of the year just like jetta from the swans …#shakealeg”

Footy fans across the country have also begun mobilising support for Goodes through social media, including the Facebook group “Cheer Cheer Adam Goodes” set up to spread the word of support and encourage people to stand and cheer Goodes when he next takes the field – regardless of team allegiances.

Anything less than applause for Goodes when he (hopefully) runs out onto the field again remains a completely unacceptable option. And all that’s being asked of people more or less amounts to “PLEASE STOP BEING A DICK ABOUT THIS.”

To suggest that he brings it on himself or somehow plays the victim is to grossly misunderstand both the immediate impact, and the larger issue at hand. The bottom line here is whether or not the general public believe it to be racially-motivated is entirely irrelevant. What matters is that Goodes believes it is.

I’m no betting man, but I’d wager the house on the fact that Goodes knows way more about racism than anyone doing the booing.

Photo: Ryan Pierse via Getty Images.