Mindless. Boorish. At worst, bigotry.
The Collingwood fans who booed Lance Franklin during Sunday’s AFL clash are getting their own direct feedback.
Magpies great Nathan Buckley and Sydney chief executive Tom Harley have joined Swans coach John Longmire in denouncing how a group of supporters reacted when Franklin was in the play.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae also disapproved post-match.
“I love the Collingwood faithful, but I’ve got a message,” Buckley told SEN on Monday.
“Your team is the toast of the town, and they’re handling themselves on and off the field with class and poise.
“So, let’s try and fall into line on the other side of the fence.
“At best, (the booing) was a begrudging acknowledgement of the sustained brilliance Franklin has brought against Collingwood, and at worst, it’s ignorance and bigotry.”
Harley backed Longmire, who questioned why anyone would boo Franklin – a likely Australian football Hall Of Fame legend once he retires.
“It’s just really boorish behaviour and John Longmire’s comments were absolutely spot-on,” Harley said.
“We at the Swans are privileged to have seen Lance Franklin up close and personal for 10 years and (we’re) in furious agreement with John.
“When you look at the context of booing in the competition, of any player, unrelated to an incident during a game – it is just mindless and that was certainly the way I thought it played out yesterday.”
Harley said the booing appeared to come from a minority and other fans needed to influence the poor behaviour.
“Positive group action is generally the best way to stop this sort of behaviour,” he said.
“I would assume the majority of people would think it’s pretty boorish behaviour.”
Harley was asked about Swans fans booing Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan last year during a game.
“I don’t think it’s a great side of the game,” he said.
He also noted the booing of Franklin did not appear related to anything specific that happened during Sunday’s match.
“He is one player who has given the game so much joy over a long period of time,” he said.
Harley was also careful not to draw parallels with the booing of fellow Swans indigenous great Adam Goodes.
That behaviour marred the end of Goodes’ glittering career and was seen widely as at least partly race-related.
Booing has been a hot topic this season, with Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley passionate in his support of Power youngster Jason Horne-Francis.
Geelong star Tom Stewart had a different perspective on the issue, saying on Monday he expects “a lot of noise” from Richmond fans during Friday night’s match at the MCG.
It will be the first time the two teams have played since Stewart was banned for four matches last June after his heavy hit poleaxed Tigers onballer Dion Prestia.
“I’m not blind or naive to the fact they’re a pretty strong supporter base,” Stewart said of the Richmond faithful.
“I will cop a lot of feedback … they’re probably, fair enough, allowed to boo me. I probably deserve it, in this respect.”
