PART of the appeal of football is its passion. The hunger of the 44 men who dress in their teams’ colours in the bowels of our coliseums; the anticipation and belief of the members hoping that this is the year their team will achieve the ultimate success; and, especially, the roar of the near 350,000 supporters who paint their faces and march through the turnstiles each weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For me, it’s the inclusiveness of football that is its real charm.
We play a game that is unknown to most of the world, yet we have people from many parts of the globe playing, working in, and enjoying our game. Not only at the elite level, but in state leagues, bush leagues and international leagues played and funded by people who fall in love with the rawness and simplicity of our game.
It’s a game loved by men, women, boys and girls alike.
It’s a game around which a community with such charisma has formed that you don’t even need to have played the sport to feel part of it.
Unlike professional sports and athletes in many other countries, our supporters have access to players at the highest level.
They can say hello at Barkers Cafe without risk of being turned away. Some – the ones we would like to turn away – provide feedback or tell us what we should be doing differently. Their children take to the park with us at clinics and open days.
And so it bemuses me that every now and again people can get so lost in the heat of the game that they have a slip of the tongue.
In some form, they vilify the men and women providing their entertainment.
In our game against Richmond last Saturday, two people made mistakes. I have no doubt neither of them are bad people. More than likely they aren’t racist or homophobic – they got lost in a moment and said something they would like to take back.
Lin Jong is an incredible man – a humble, genuine and much-loved teammate.
His response to allegations of racism directed towards him – one of calmness, understanding and a desire to promote change – is a credit to him, as is his involvement in the AFL’s diversity program.
By now we should all know that there is no place for vilification of any sort in our society, so what changes when we go to the footy?
If you wouldn’t say it to your children, your parents, your brother or sister, don’t hurl it over the fence without thought.
Think about the family sitting three rows down.
Think about the player’s parents who are sitting in the row behind you.
Our game belongs to no one, and yet it belongs to all of us.
Enjoy it, nurture it, watch it grow in harmony.
*Western Bulldogs vice-captain Jordan Roughead has joined The Courier’s football writing team with a fortnightly column.
Roughead was drafted from North Ballarat Rebels in the 2008 AFL draft and made his AFL debut in round five, 2010.
He played his junior football with Lake Wendouree.
