PAFC 2025

[dedja]

I can only think this is why Davies has called for the AFL to educate all within the industry further on these matters.

The "Walk a mile in their shoes" comes to mind here, we can think or feel what we want but ultimately it's the person taking the comments to heart who needs to educate us on why it's taken that way, to help us understand why.

Feels like this is just the beginning of something far greater.

Thanks CD

This place really has a finite timeline on mature conversations.

Hardly.

No offence, but you’re a white anglo-saxon who, on the balance of probabilities and by your own admission, has not suffered personally from racism.

I, as someone of southern European descent, have been racially vilified for much of my life … not only by those ugly southern European sledges, but also, ironically, indigenous vilification as well due to my skin complexion.

I’ve walked in the shoes that you have stated that you, in your own words, say that you haven't.

Rioli has been afforded more opportunities than arguably he hasn't deserved to still be in the AFL system. Everyone is different, but as a few have already mentioned, if he has been racially vilified on field then why hasn’t this been reported if it (understandably) affects him so much?

No doubt it's been difficult for him on occasions, but he has some problems that he, and the club, seem to be avoiding by casting him as a victim which apparently justifies his poor actions.

As I’ve previous stated, at Glenelg he was a shy, modest and impressive young man … this has seemingly changed since becoming an AFL footballer.

A mature and robust discussion takes in all angles, not just a narrative to avoid taking responsibility.

No opinion is right or wrong. Whether you, I or others agree or disagree is actually irrelevant.

Play on.

[The Bedge]

With all due respect, I didn't think that CD was suggesting Willie was called fat as the premise for racial comments. I took it as him using it as an example... and not actually sharing actuals on conversations shared

I feel like there is more to this.. I also 100% agree with CD's comments around the Hawthorn insta post and how Willie was ostracized / attacked and he provoked it being so wrong.

I couldn't imagine the level of abuse he must receive on his socials from random rednecks - you only got to look at every mainstream media social this week - they've cut comments off because everyone wants to rip in. Aliir Aliir in Sydney a few weeks ago copped it when the kid threw that fan at him FFS.

In isolated incidents it's annoying and or makes you angry, but when it's constant it does become a bigger issue.

You don't know what comments are going to trigger someone even if they don't necessarily mean it, some comments just hit really close to home or hurt because it's a rhetoric you have copped or heard all your life - for instance, for me, comments about being lazy or being an alcoholic make me wild.. or comments around free government handouts... Comments / stereotypes that you've heard your whole life.

Recent times the Welcome to Country stuff commentary I find upsetting.

Then I read this comment from MW "Most likely Willie will be booed Goodes style for the remainder of his career." .. this angers me. He doesn't mean any malice by it, and he's probably correct, but it infuriates me that this is how it will unfold.

[The Bedge]

if he has been racially vilified on field then why hasn’t this been reported if it (understandably) affects him so much?.

Listening to the CD interview, its sounds like comments directed towards players are regularly reported to the AFL over the course of a year?

[amber_fluid]

I was always taught that 2 wrongs don’t make a right!
Don’t blame others for YOUR actions.

This has gone 180 degrees from threats of violence to racism
They are separate issues IMO

[Booney]

I couldn't imagine the level of abuse he must receive on his socials from random rednecks

Post the Hawthorn game nearly 300 messages.

[MW]

Then I read this comment from MW "Most likely Willie will be booed Goodes style for the remainder of his career." .. this angers me. He doesn't mean any malice by it, and he's probably correct, but it infuriates me that this is how it will unfold.

Anger at me or that he might be booed?
I've never booed any indigenous player or person in my life (for the record). I was suggesting that it will likely happen due to the sheep behaviour of the general public.

[dedja]

if he has been racially vilified on field then why hasn’t this been reported if it (understandably) affects him so much?.

Listening to the CD interview, its sounds like comments directed towards players are regularly reported to the AFL over the course of a year?

This is the confusing part. In the past, the AFL have quite rightly taken on-field racial vilification very seriously with large penalties given to offenders, or at worst, sanctioned the player with education and required a public apology. Look at the way they handled the Taylor Walker incident.

What CD alluded to (its not entirely clear to be honest) is that he has been having some dialogue with the AFL without actually formally reporting specific incidents for the AFL to act on.

I can't imagine that the AFL would ignore specific racial incidents formally reported to them. They have a mixed record on a number of issue, but have always been strong on this one.

[Brodlach]

I couldn't imagine the level of abuse he must receive on his socials from random rednecks

Post the Hawthorn game nearly 300 messages.

Great reason not to be on social media at all.

Some on here get jilted by comments occasionally on here, imagine getting it every single day

[The Bedge]

Then I read this comment from MW "Most likely Willie will be booed Goodes style for the remainder of his career." .. this angers me. He doesn't mean any malice by it, and he's probably correct, but it infuriates me that this is how it will unfold.

Anger at me or that he might be booed?
I've never booed any indigenous player or person in my life (for the record). I was suggesting that it will likely happen due to the sheep behaviour of the general public.

Nah not at you.. more so at the thought / default setting that after all this everyone will just call him a flog and boo him out the game Goodes style... and knowing that you're most likely correct.

Is this really what we have become?

[Booney]

I couldn't imagine the level of abuse he must receive on his socials from random rednecks

Post the Hawthorn game nearly 300 messages.

Great reason not to be on social media at all.

Some on here get jilted by comments occasionally on here, imagine getting it every single day

And let the shit for brains of society beat him? I completely disagree.

[amber_fluid]

I couldn't imagine the level of abuse he must receive on his socials from random rednecks

Post the Hawthorn game nearly 300 messages.

Great reason not to be on social media at all.

Some on here get jilted by comments occasionally on here, imagine getting it every single day

Control what you can
Get off social media or at least make it a private account

[MW]

Then I read this comment from MW "Most likely Willie will be booed Goodes style for the remainder of his career." .. this angers me. He doesn't mean any malice by it, and he's probably correct, but it infuriates me that this is how it will unfold.

Anger at me or that he might be booed?
I've never booed any indigenous player or person in my life (for the record). I was suggesting that it will likely happen due to the sheep behaviour of the general public.

Nah not at you.. more so at the thought / default setting that after all this everyone will just call him a flog and boo him out the game Goodes style... and knowing that you're most likely correct.

Is this really what we have become?

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

[Brodlach]

If I was abused 300 times a day on here I wouldn’t return, no one would

It doesn’t mean I’ve been beaten.

Limit the amount of people who can react with you.

[dedja]

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

I don’t disagree that there are many, many racists in our society, but jeez, things used to be worse.

Indigenous Australians weren’t even considered Australians until 1967, and we had a government sanctioned White Australia policy.

Both of these things happened during my lifetime.

faark, I’m old

[Brodlach]

Then I read this comment from MW "Most likely Willie will be booed Goodes style for the remainder of his career." .. this angers me. He doesn't mean any malice by it, and he's probably correct, but it infuriates me that this is how it will unfold.

Anger at me or that he might be booed?
I've never booed any indigenous player or person in my life (for the record). I was suggesting that it will likely happen due to the sheep behaviour of the general public.

Nah not at you.. more so at the thought / default setting that after all this everyone will just call him a flog and boo him out the game Goodes style... and knowing that you're most likely correct.

Is this really what we have become?

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

It’s ********* horrible

Kids to mid 20’s have had more education at school about effects of racism than any of us older folk and I think they are actually worse.

[shoe boy]

Rioli has to own the issues he has brought on himself be it texts, on field reports or issues re West Coast.

I dont believe the color of your skin is the issue .

[mots02]

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

I don’t disagree that there are many, many racists in our society, but jeez, things used to be worse.

Indigenous Australians weren’t even considered Australians until 1967, and we had a government sanctioned White Australia policy.

Both of these things happened during my lifetime.

faark, I’m old

Social media has just provided the avenue to hear more about it from a far wider audience.

In previous times you just heard what your mates and family said, now, if you choose you can hear from billions around the world.

I dint think racism is worse, we just have the channels to amplify the messages now (both good and bad)

[Booney]

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

I'm not sure about that, what I am sure about is you can now remain anonymous and through electronic means spread your hate to more people.

[dedja]

I've never known Australian society (in my lifetime) to be more racist than it is now, and that is scary.

I don’t disagree that there are many, many racists in our society, but jeez, things used to be worse.

Indigenous Australians weren’t even considered Australians until 1967, and we had a government sanctioned White Australia policy.

Both of these things happened during my lifetime.

faark, I’m old

Social media has just provided the avenue to hear more about it from a far wider audience.

In previous times you just heard what your mates and family said, now, if you choose you can hear from billions around the world.

I dint think racism is worse, we just have the channels to amplify the messages now (both good and bad)

Agree, but i can tell you from personal experience, being called horrible things to your face is a billion times worse than by some anonymous dropkick on a social media platform.

[Brodlach]

Yep, hide behind an egg picture