AFL Overkill

[bigcarl]

Freedom of speech is becoming a major issue in this country.

A lot of people are sick of being told what they must think and what they can and cannot say. They have had a gut full of the AFL’s social justice posturing. Some agree with it, of course, but shouldn’t presume they are in the majority.

I’m going to continue to exercise my democratic rights. I’ll think and say what I want

“Freedom of speech” is an overused term adopted by those who’ve watched too much American tv. And it’s usually code for “I can’t say ignorant/racist/sexist/homophobic stuff anymore without people calling me out”

You can say whatever you like, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for what you say. I’m glad people who in the past were suppressed are now standing up and not copping crap anymore from those who feel entitled.

Freedom of speech is vital to a democracy. It’s a fundamental. As I said, don’t presume that everyone thinks like you do or that you are in the majority.

The government isn’t suppressing you, a business is telling you what it deems acceptable for its product, which it has the right to.

And I know not everyone thinks like me, hence the ignorant/racists/sexist/homophobes etc.

Yet you have a username of The Dud (with a picture of Alan Richardson attached).

Some - Alan’s family for example - might find that offensive or bordering on hate speech.

To me, though, you are ENTITLED to your opinion that Cho Has To Go. That’s the beauty of freedom of thought and speech. Good thing we live in a democracy

[The_Dud]

Freedom of speech is becoming a major issue in this country.

A lot of people are sick of being told what they must think and what they can and cannot say. They have had a gut full of the AFL’s social justice posturing. Some agree with it, of course, but shouldn’t presume they are in the majority.

I’m going to continue to exercise my democratic rights. I’ll think and say what I want

“Freedom of speech” is an overused term adopted by those who’ve watched too much American tv. And it’s usually code for “I can’t say ignorant/racist/sexist/homophobic stuff anymore without people calling me out”

You can say whatever you like, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for what you say. I’m glad people who in the past were suppressed are now standing up and not copping crap anymore from those who feel entitled.

Freedom of speech is vital to a democracy. It’s a fundamental. As I said, don’t presume that everyone thinks like you do or that you are in the majority.

The government isn’t suppressing you, a business is telling you what it deems acceptable for its product, which it has the right to.

And I know not everyone thinks like me, hence the ignorant/racists/sexist/homophobes etc.

Yet you have a username of The Dud (with a picture of Alan Richardson attached).

Some - Alan’s family for example - might find that offensive or bordering on hate speech.

To me, though, you are ENTITLED to your opinion that Cho Has To Go. That’s the beauty of freedom of thought and speech. Good thing we live in a democracy

There is a difference between banter and abuse. No one is trying to stop banter at the footy.

You can criticise someone’s job performance without attacking them personally. You can say you don’t agree with them without resorting to personal abuse.

It’s not really that hard. Just like some footballers think they can assault opposition players on the footy field with no real life repercussions, supporters think they have the right to abuse others just because they happen to be at a football game.

[older saint]

This discussion has lost the original point, the overkill by the AFL on supporters barracking too loudly or jumping up waving their arms , such as the Hawthorn supporter Friday night.
I am sure most if not all agree with what is and is not allowed language wise and i dont think anyone is complaining about foul mouth or drunken fans being pulled into line or ejected, it is the passionate supporter who is invested emotionally and isn't swearing just passionate.
To have people told off for barracking too loud is comical and the fact Marvel have come out and said they have gone too far supports this.

[Sainternist]

We can thank all the knuckleheads who booed Adam Goodes for this. I reckon that's the main reason the AFL is getting all nanny state on fan behaviour.

[Enrico_Misso]

We can thank all the knuckleheads who booed Adam Goodes for this. I reckon that's the main reason the AFL is getting all nanny state on fan behaviour.

Why are you calling me a knucklehead?

[Enrico_Misso]

why the booing, overloud barracking, the occasional expletive- well other than that is the way it has always been , it is because we become emotionally invested in our team and its success. Where else do strangers become bedfellows, where else can you release that pent up rage that is in all of us, that primitive need to contest, to fight. Sport, and football in particular has become a vehicle for social cohesion, a shared and joint tribal activity that means we do not have to actually strike each other. We send out others to carry the hopes and colours of our chosen allegiance.
We have inherited a marvellous, thrilling and for we saints supporters frustrating tribal identity, with the norms of behaviour set out and in the main self correcting. For the number of people attending true violence and real abuse is exceedingly rare.
Sadly those who claim to be the custodians of the game (AFL) are little by little leading us to "the English disease" - treating supporters as if they are one stupid umpiring decision away from a riot. Prevent the shouting, the booing, the occasional outburst and what happens to the slow inevitable internal anger and frustration......

And don't say it is just a game- why do we post on here if that was all it was? Do we post on cricket forums, soccer forums, synchronised swimming forums?
And lastly for those who waffle on about the workplace- well we are the consumers, not the employer. We are the arbiters of what is good and bad in a service and to complain is legitimate. To complain in a way that supporters have done for decades without violence ensuing, without umpires being anything other than at the most a target for invective on the day is evidence that assertions of harm are overblown. We could of course refuse to attend games, I suspect the AFL would not care as that just means more watching on TV.

So WE will decide who we boo
and the circumstances in which WE boo them.

[saintspremiers]

We can thank all the knuckleheads who booed Adam Goodes for this. I reckon that's the main reason the AFL is getting all nanny state on fan behaviour.

Why are you calling me a knucklehead?

Goodes was a knucklehead. His last few years were annoying

[shanegrambeau]

Surely it has to do with moral highgrounding for corporate sponsorship and media rights sales brownie points. I thing they should replace the crowds with barking dogs. Unfortunately, the people who they employ in the role of the security crowd police probably come from the same corner of the universe as railway police/ticket inspectors. On the other hand, don't expect me to save you in a fight with some iced up dudes on their way back to the station. Mummy pls help me.

[BarryGrogan]

So WE will decide who we boo
and the circumstances in which WE boo them.

Life doesn't work like that.

We live in a society. We have to abide by the rules of that society.

The rules change from time to time, and whether we like it or not, we must adapt to them.

It's all part of being a free range human.


The AFL own the sport. The clubs literally gave it to them 30 odd years ago.

It's theirs. Not ours.

They make the rules. You've got to abide by them.


The only way to change it, is to stop buying their product.

[Jacks Back]

why the booing, overloud barracking, the occasional expletive- well other than that is the way it has always been , it is because we become emotionally invested in our team and its success. Where else do strangers become bedfellows, where else can you release that pent up rage that is in all of us, that primitive need to contest, to fight. Sport, and football in particular has become a vehicle for social cohesion, a shared and joint tribal activity that means we do not have to actually strike each other. We send out others to carry the hopes and colours of our chosen allegiance.
We have inherited a marvellous, thrilling and for we saints supporters frustrating tribal identity, with the norms of behaviour set out and in the main self correcting. For the number of people attending true violence and real abuse is exceedingly rare.
Sadly those who claim to be the custodians of the game (AFL) are little by little leading us to "the English disease" - treating supporters as if they are one stupid umpiring decision away from a riot. Prevent the shouting, the booing, the occasional outburst and what happens to the slow inevitable internal anger and frustration......

And don't say it is just a game- why do we post on here if that was all it was? Do we post on cricket forums, soccer forums, synchronised swimming forums?
And lastly for those who waffle on about the workplace- well we are the consumers, not the employer. We are the arbiters of what is good and bad in a service and to complain is legitimate. To complain in a way that supporters have done for decades without violence ensuing, without umpires being anything other than at the most a target for invective on the day is evidence that assertions of harm are overblown. We could of course refuse to attend games, I suspect the AFL would not care as that just means more watching on TV.

+1

[outside66]

We need fans from all clubs to unite and boycott 1 or 2 rounds by not going !
If no one was to turn up then gil would get the message.
After all part of his multi million dollar bonus each year relies on the crowd figures. So if hundreds of thousands don't show it may hurt his hip pocket .
And so the clubs aren't worse off . We fans could donate five bucks to our clubs .
$5 from 10000 saints fans next week would probably be more than the club would get as revenue from the stadium any way.

Dunno where you've been but Saints fans have been boycotting since 2010!

[Yorkeys]

AFL let too much nasty stuff go too long and have - with security firms always on the look out for opportunity - over reacted. I bet we would be amused to know the qualifications of the hi viz guys to identify offenders, mediate situations and provide sound judgement. Police state stuff and may still not stop the real violence - I'd be interested if any orange men intervened in a serious donnybrook. Soft targets are easy to bully and its an easy way to make a buck. I wonder who is paying for them.

A few years ago I had a Bulldogs supporting family behind, about 6 of them, the father had long grey hair and a wild mo, they were supporting ferociously. He observed that it cost him all the family's discretionary (my word) money for a week to attend over $100 I think he said - it was years ago - and everyone just wished him well (but not the Doggies that night). Surely you make that sort of sacrifice and bring that passion you are entitled to enjoy the experience without some backpacker or uni student bringing their righteous judgement into your face, from a position of unequal power.

[Enrico_Misso]

So WE will decide who we boo
and the circumstances in which WE boo them.

Life doesn't work like that.

We live in a society. We have to abide by the rules of that society.

The rules change from time to time, and whether we like it or not, we must adapt to them.

It's all part of being a free range human.


The AFL own the sport. The clubs literally gave it to them 30 odd years ago.

It's theirs. Not ours.

They make the rules. You've got to abide by them.


The only way to change it, is to stop buying their product.

NO.
The football public own the sport.
The AFL administer it.

It seems the message from the fans has partly been listened to and the Nazis aisle patrols are on the back burner.
But not sure Gill's credibility will ever recover from this chronic over-reaction that exposes his poor judgement.

[Special]

AFL let too much nasty stuff go too long and have - with security firms always on the look out for opportunity - over reacted. I bet we would be amused to know the qualifications of the hi viz guys to identify offenders, mediate situations and provide sound judgement. Police state stuff and may still not stop the real violence - I'd be interested if any orange men intervened in a serious donnybrook. Soft targets are easy to bully and its an easy way to make a buck. I wonder who is paying for them.

A few years ago I had a Bulldogs supporting family behind, about 6 of them, the father had long grey hair and a wild mo, they were supporting ferociously. He observed that it cost him all the family's discretionary (my word) money for a week to attend over $100 I think he said - it was years ago - and everyone just wished him well (but not the Doggies that night). Surely you make that sort of sacrifice and bring that passion you are entitled to enjoy the experience without some backpacker or uni student bringing their righteous judgement into your face, from a position of unequal power.

Backpacker/uni student or according to Jeff “new arrivals” also who have no idea about the game!

Poor Jeff copped abuse for being racist saying that, when in fact it was just the correct observation.

In any case, a hired security guard has little qualifications and are just window dressing.

IF all this was a REAL issue then wouldn’t police be doing the patrols???

Onya bike Gil, and go get a proper haircut when you leave.

[The_Dud]

Buying a ticket to the footy doesn’t give you the right to abuse or intimidate people.

The idea was correct but the execution was poor, they’ll iron out the problems.

What’s worse, getting asked by a security guard to calm down or getting your head punched in by some flog in the crowd (which we’ve seen a number of times already this year)?

Don’t act like an entitled flog and there won’t be an issue, it’s not that hard.

[saynta]

In my opinion, cretins that go to the footy each week and carry on like fools deserve to be embarrassed.

There actually should be a law against adults wearing footy jumpers in my opinion.

For once we agree on something.

[saynta]

AFL let too much nasty stuff go too long and have - with security firms always on the look out for opportunity - over reacted. I bet we would be amused to know the qualifications of the hi viz guys to identify offenders, mediate situations and provide sound judgement. Police state stuff and may still not stop the real violence - I'd be interested if any orange men intervened in a serious donnybrook. Soft targets are easy to bully and its an easy way to make a buck. I wonder who is paying for them.

A few years ago I had a Bulldogs supporting family behind, about 6 of them, the father had long grey hair and a wild mo, they were supporting ferociously. He observed that it cost him all the family's discretionary (my word) money for a week to attend over $100 I think he said - it was years ago - and everyone just wished him well (but not the Doggies that night). Surely you make that sort of sacrifice and bring that passion you are entitled to enjoy the experience without some backpacker or uni student bringing their righteous judgement into your face, from a position of unequal power.

Did you see the clown in the orange vest about to enter the field of play in Hobart at the weekend to try and break up a wrestle between to players before a maggot stopped him.? Unbelievable.

[bigcarl]

Gilligan seems to getting the message.

His job as head of the AFL is to administer the game for the people, not to be some sort of social justice warrior. Not to tell us how to think and act.

It’s enough to make you barf the way the league has been carrying on. Stop pandering to minorities and take care of the great silent majority.

[The_Dud]

It’s enough to make you barf the way the league has been carrying on. Stop pandering to minorities and take care of the great silent majority.

Good point, I think you should email Nick Riewoldt (Maddie’s match) and Neil Daniher (Freeze MND) and tell them to f**k off.

[freely]

Gilligan seems to getting the message.

His job as head of the AFL is to administer the game for the people, not to be some sort of social justice warrior. Not to tell us how to think and act.

It’s enough to make you barf the way the league has been carrying on. Stop pandering to minorities and take care of the great silent majority.

If the majority were silent, there wouldn't be a problem!

[saynta]

AFL let too much nasty stuff go too long and have - with security firms always on the look out for opportunity - over reacted. I bet we would be amused to know the qualifications of the hi viz guys to identify offenders, mediate situations and provide sound judgement. Police state stuff and may still not stop the real violence - I'd be interested if any orange men intervened in a serious donnybrook. Soft targets are easy to bully and its an easy way to make a buck. I wonder who is paying for them.

A few years ago I had a Bulldogs supporting family behind, about 6 of them, the father had long grey hair and a wild mo, they were supporting ferociously. He observed that it cost him all the family's discretionary (my word) money for a week to attend over $100 I think he said - it was years ago - and everyone just wished him well (but not the Doggies that night). Surely you make that sort of sacrifice and bring that passion you are entitled to enjoy the experience without some backpacker or uni student bringing their righteous judgement into your face, from a position of unequal power.

Backpacker/uni student or according to Jeff “new arrivals” also who have no idea about the game!

Poor Jeff copped abuse for being racist saying that, when in fact it was just the correct observation.

In any case, a hired security guard has little qualifications and are just window dressing.

IF all this was a REAL issue then wouldn’t police be doing the patrols???

Onya bike Gil, and go get a proper haircut when you leave.

You are not allowed to tell it how it really is in this PC world. Jeff should have known this no matter how true his observations were.

[BarryGrogan]

Backpacker/uni student or according to Jeff “new arrivals” also who have no idea about the game!

Poor Jeff copped abuse for being racist saying that, when in fact it was just the correct observation.

In any case, a hired security guard has little qualifications and are just window dressing.

IF all this was a REAL issue then wouldn’t police be doing the patrols???

Onya bike Gil, and go get a proper haircut when you leave.

You are not allowed to tell it how it really is in this PC world. Jeff should have known this no matter how true his observations were.

What a complete and utter load of s***.

Firstly, you can still say what you want. The only difference is, thankfully, that when you speak s*** and/or be a total prick - you get called on it.

I can't fathom how people think that's a bad thing.


As for the specific comments by Kennett, he's making an assumption based on someone's appearance that they're 'new arrivals'. And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

And secondly, he's stating that if you weren't born here, you know norhing about the football???! WTF?

And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

Do you have any idea how ignorant that sounds??


You're allowed to say it, but how can you possibly have a sook when people call you on how utterly stupid it is?

[The_Dud]

Backpacker/uni student or according to Jeff “new arrivals” also who have no idea about the game!

Poor Jeff copped abuse for being racist saying that, when in fact it was just the correct observation.

In any case, a hired security guard has little qualifications and are just window dressing.

IF all this was a REAL issue then wouldn’t police be doing the patrols???

Onya bike Gil, and go get a proper haircut when you leave.

You are not allowed to tell it how it really is in this PC world. Jeff should have known this no matter how true his observations were.

What a complete and utter load of s***.

Firstly, you can still say what you want. The only difference is, thankfully, that when you speak s*** and/or be a total prick - you get called on it.

I can't fathom how people think that's a bad thing.


As for the specific comments by Kennett, he's making an assumption based on someone's appearance that they're 'new arrivals'. And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

And secondly, he's stating that if you weren't born here, you know norhing about the football???! WTF?

And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

Do you have any idea how ignorant that sounds??


You're allowed to say it, but how can you possibly have a sook when people call you on how utterly stupid it is?

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

[Brunswicksainter]

Just a suggestion... why dont they consider imposing separate seating zones at games e.g. a fan terrace (must be over 16-18 years to be in this area) and dedicated family zones for young families and less animated fans. Seems like an easy fix, could also bring back the glory days of old terrace and active fan areas at suburban grounds i.e The Animal enclosure. This is a commonly used strategy across European soccer grounds.

[saynta]

Backpacker/uni student or according to Jeff “new arrivals” also who have no idea about the game!

Poor Jeff copped abuse for being racist saying that, when in fact it was just the correct observation.

In any case, a hired security guard has little qualifications and are just window dressing.

IF all this was a REAL issue then wouldn’t police be doing the patrols???

Onya bike Gil, and go get a proper haircut when you leave.

You are not allowed to tell it how it really is in this PC world. Jeff should have known this no matter how true his observations were.

What a complete and utter load of s***.

Firstly, you can still say what you want. The only difference is, thankfully, that when you speak s*** and/or be a total prick - you get called on it.

I can't fathom how people think that's a bad thing.


As for the specific comments by Kennett, he's making an assumption based on someone's appearance that they're 'new arrivals'. And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

And secondly, he's stating that if you weren't born here, you know norhing about the football???! WTF?

And you sit there and say 'he's telling it how it really is'??? Seriously?

Do you have any idea how ignorant that sounds??


You're allowed to say it, but how can you possibly have a sook when people call you on how utterly stupid it is?

I think if you have a look at the comment section in the papers following the articles on Kennett, you will find that most posters agree with me and your views are in the minority.