CHAMPIONS DESERVE OUR RESPECT

BRENDAN RHODES

The right of paying football supporters to behave however they want was back on the agenda after Collingwood fans signalled out Sydney champion Lance Franklin for incessant booing during the Magpies’ 29-point win at the MCG last Sunday.

Franklin and Swans teammate Tom Papley were booed by supporters every time they touched the ball, starting a debate that has raged all week, with most saying it was not on.

Collingwood condemned their actions and urged them to show respect in a public apology signed by CEO Craig Kelly, coach Craig McRae and captain Darcy Moore.

“The club does not support booing, particularly champions of the game,” they said on Monday.

“Yesterday was the first time we played the Swans at the MCG in a decade – it provided an opportunity to respect a champion of the game and we fell short.

“‘Buddy’ is a great of Australian Football – what he has achieved on the field over a long period of time demands a high level of respect.”

Legendary Collingwood player and former coach Nathan Buckley also called out the fans who felt the need to attack an all-time great of the game.

“Your team is the toast of the town, and they’re handling themselves on and off the field with class and poise,” he said on SEN.

“Let’s try and fall into line on the other side of the fence – at best, (the booing) was a begrudging acknowledgment of the sustained brilliance Franklin has brought against Collingwood, and at worst, it’s ignorance and bigotry.”

The jeering of Franklin followed Swans fans booing injured Magpie forward Jack Ginnivan in round 22 last year when he appeared on the big screen.

Buckley said he hoped Magpie fans would get the chance to redeem themselves.

“If we get another chance, I hope Collingwood fans who aren’t ignorant (or) bigots –because there will be some booing – stand up and applaud every time he gets a touch and try and drown that out,” he said.

“That’s exactly what the stars of the game and his status in the game deserves.

“We were gifted an opportunity to celebrate this undisputed champion and a section of the faithful chose to denigrate – I don’t think we took the opportunity to do the right thing.”

The Swans called the booing disrespectful to a champion of the game in the first time Magpie supporters had seen him play in Melbourne for 10 years.

“Lance is a champion and his contribution to the AFL should be celebrated and respected,” Sydney’s statement said.

“Fans are the lifeblood of our game and have the right to cheer loudly at the football.

“But booing isn’t a right –it’s offensive – and players should not be subjected to it in their workplace.

“We have been here before and sadly it seems some people have not learned from the past.”

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said: “Lance Franklin is not only one of the greatest Australian Rules football players of all time but a generational athlete who has and continues to captivate the nation with his skill, his ability, and his leadership.

“The sixth player ever to kick 1000 goals, Buddy has delivered our game and our fans some of the most memorable moments in football history.

“All players have the right to be treated respectfully on-field.

“We want everyone to go to a game and express themselves, the passion for the contest and the voice of the crowd is what sets our competition apart, however, we don’t accept excessive booing as part of our game.

“(Port Adelaide’s) Jason Horne-Francis (who has also been subjected to booing this year) is an emerging star of our game, Lance Franklin is an all-time great (and) our view applies equally to both.

“In fact, no player should be targeted in that way.

“We should never take the champions for granted – players like Buddy are the best of our game and regardless of who you barrack for we should continue to celebrate all the champions accordingly.”

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