OPINION: Going to the footy and boisterously supporting your team while jovially taking the mickey out of the opposition should always be a part of Aussie Rules.
But in light of the AFL's recent crackdown on verbal abuse, The Rushed Behind's Jack Alfonso undertakes a sustained examination of the role abuse plays in the modern game and why there's strong retaliation in stamping it out.
In this four-part series, we'll look in-depth at the numerous issues which have divided fans and caused a great deal of controversy across our game.
Personal abuse is an odd concept, and one of extreme intrigue in the AFL in recent weeks.
The highly topical issue – furthered by several unsavoury incidents this season – has, however, been a stain on our game over the past few seasons.
Abuse can come in different forms; it is one thing to be verbally abusive towards another human, and it is another to improperly take advantage of a service, or object, that is being provided.
Tune into The Rushed Behind this Thursday at 6:30pm for more...
It’s another thing to be physically abusive, as we are beginning to unfortunately witness more and more these days at the footy – last Saturday following the Western Bulldogs and Carlton game the most recent.
While there are not yet legal ramifications of verbal abuse, there are consequences of it being committed in the presence of a law enforcement officer, while physical abuse will, in all likelihood, reserve a date for you in court.
But for some reason that is currently unknown, when people set foot either onto a football field, or merely take their seat in the stands, the rules change.
It is not only acceptable to start slagging off the opposition, the umpiring, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and surrounding fans, but in some sectors of the footballing community, it is encouraged.
One of the best ways to uncover truths regarding any issue is to ask one question; ‘why?’
And that is the question that fans are posing to the AFL as they search for an answer as to why they are being persecuted, why they are being shamed for abuse, why they are being kicked out for calling umpires “bald-headed flogs” and “green maggots”.
The AFL, in response, is being steadfast in its approach, and despite making it blatantly clear why it’s not a good idea to abuse other people, is also asking why is abuse so pertinent to fans who attend the football.
In their statement issued last earlier last week, McLachlan clarified the AFL had not changed their stance or directed a more highly-scrutinised approach from security staff, despite their noticeable presence on Marvel Stadium at Saturday night.
It's important to note this increased security was a stadium directive with no influence from the AFL, as confirmed by Marvel Stadium CEO Michael Green, and conceded they had "gone too far".
“There’s been no commentary, crackdown or change in policy about what’s acceptable fan behaviour at games,” McLachlan said.
“It’s the same it’s been for 100 years or 100-plus years. Come, be your outlet — but do it in a way that respects the people around you.
“It’s self-policing. The fans ultimately decide what that looks like, not me or you, it’s the people around you."
There are essentials in our great game, both tangible and intangible.
Abuse and the hurling of vitriol from the grandstands should not be a requirement.
Jeff ‘Joffa’ Corfe, perhaps the most famous supporter in the competition, issued a statement on his Facebook page earlier last week, saying he “won’t attend another AFL game” until the AFL apologises and backs down.
Among his statement, he interestingly pointed out that “football is all about banter and fun booing and having a go at the umpiring.”
Yes, that’s right.
It’s not about getting behind your team and willing them over the line with your support.
As per this statement, it’s about taking the proverbial out of the other team and booing and abusing people who are doing an almost impossible job to the best of their ability.
Joffa released another opinion article yesterday afternoon, reiterating his views of the AFL letting the fans be.
Additionally, AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman, quipped “we’re seeing several incidents where fans are being removed from stadiums for which they wouldn’t have been removed last season or the 100 years before that”.
So, according to Eeman, just because something was practised for a sustained period of time over history, it should stay that way no matter if it’s wrong or right.
What these two representations of the AFL’s fans are saying is, to paraphrase, ‘well, that’s just the way it’s always been and because we like it that way, we don’t want it to change’.
This isn’t to say a boo at a poor decision automatically qualifies for eviction, or a lighthearted jeer must be ruled out of our game and we must only applaud – that is ludicrous.
Such actions provide a sense of theatre and atmosphere to our great game.
But it’s an ingrained mindset to create hostility and which has proven to be a blight.
There’s backing your team in and wearing your heart on your sleeve, but it’s another thing entirely to hurl nothing but abuse from the sidelines and make the game evolve around negativity for not only yourself, but those around you.
These are the exact same types of fans who hark back to the ‘good old days’ of footy where ‘men were men’, there were hits flying around everywhere, punches being thrown in the crowds (imagine if we still had full strength beer being served today!) and considering the effects your actions may have was generally a foreign concept.
This by no means is to say Corfe and Eeman hold these views, but it’s this entrenched belief which some adhere to at all costs which is dangerous.
And coming from two of the fans’ figureheads, it only exacerbates the issue.
Fans are very comfortable sitting in their seats and screaming abuse, with little regard to who might hear what they’re saying, whether or not they think they’re setting the right example, or whether they’re making someone else’s experience uncomfortable.
Generally, when these people are reminded of the expected behavioural standards, it gets thrown straight back in the face of the person asking them to settle down, with the go to phrases ‘P.C. world’s going mad’, ‘snowflake generation’ and ‘you just don’t get footy’ being bandied about to diminish the other’s request, and vindicate their own boorish behaviour.
Campbell Brown wrote today that fans were "sick" of the AFL's flippancy in highlighting certain issues and is negatively influencing people's perception of the game.
"My advice to the AFL is stop trying to be the moral compass of society, stop trying to champion a different social cause every single week, people are sick of it." - Campbell Brown.
And nor should they be.
But common sense - and common decency - should prevail in such circumstances. And it's a pity that is something which needs to be enforced.
To reiterate, there is nothing wrong with showing passion - our sport is a game where the heart is always on the sleeve.
But there is a line, and unfortunately, some people just don’t know where that is.
It takes a brave person to take on tradition, because unfortunately people do not like or embrace change, especially when they are so rigid in their ways.
But the little acts such as calling out a fan for calling you a “bald-headed flog” (kudos, Mathew Nicholls), or reminding fans of the AFL to support their own team boisterously – not slagging off anyone or anything opposing you – will pave the way for a much more enjoyable experience for all involved in the future.
In my view, the AFL does not have a case to answer to.
Stamping out vitriolic abuse at the football is essential for a better future.
And if it comes at the expense of fans with outdated views, then so be it.
'Part Two: The Public Sphere' releases tomorrow at 6:00pm, exclusively on The Rushed Behind.
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