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The Fireman wrote:I have the solution...If I call a black player crap and someone calls me a racist I simply smack them in the gob.. problem solved
Difference between calling any player crap because of their skill level and that they are crap because of their skin colour though.
Anyone is entitled to critisise a player for their skill level. Raph is not immune to such critisism.
Lance or James??
There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough." For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in <redacted>. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a <redacted>investigation followed by <redacted> witch hunt. The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for <redacted>and on me leads me to where I am today – finished with this nonsense. (Oops just got a spontaneous errection <unredacted>)
Race has never even entered my mind when it comes to Raph Clarke. Raph is a good VFL footballer.... But has had many opportunities to prove himself consistently at AFL level and unfortunately hasn't been able to stand up to the pace. Time for the club and Raph to move on.
I am not a fan of Raph, and it has nothing to do with his race. It's him. I am also not a fan of Dean Polo and that has nothing to with his race. Raph as had too many chances, sure he does the odd good thing, but his awareness at times is very poor (Ie holding the ball 2009 GF) and his decsion making can also let him, I think with Simpkin and others have simply gone past Raph. It's a pity, I did think he showed some early promise when he 1st started.
last 5 weeks in the VFL and he still manages a post, where sad and lonely keyboard kings sink their boots in knowing that the power in numbers theory will prevail....
I cant be racist if everyone else is doing it?? can't I??
Animal Enclosure wrote:Raph has always been played out of position... Should have been a tall winger/ half forward.
He was drafted as a forward/midfielder & has unfortunately been pigeon holed as a defender.
Agree. I blame Ross Lyon for this.
Had half the list playing as half back flankers
Tell us this is another of your jokes? 3 coaches played him back. That suggests to me that is where he should play. He has to run straight ahead and not good enough below his knees to be wingman.
I don't care WHAT colour our players are. I just want them to play well.
(In fact, I would love a star Aboriginal player at this club - they certainly bring extra excitement.)
I have never, ever heard racist abuse directed towards Raph and I've been going to the footy for his whole career. And I'm affronted by those who have created the myth that it happens every week, which has somehow perpetuated itself into a quasi-reality.
Racist or not nothing pisses me off more than people making stupid judgement calls with no basis other than a perception. Guys like Gram can play three good games and get bagged anyway. Why not imagine you are trying to help point out something they might need to work on in their game straight to their face, then you probably won't step on any feet and get a negative response to your stupid statements.
David Winbanks was about the most hopeless player I saw play football in the seniors for the Saints. Sill can't believe that Stewart went out of his way to get him to us from the Swans.
"Color" has nothing to do with any negative critiscism of Raph.
He copps a few negative threads...but that in part is possibly due to where he was taken in the draft = the threads on Kosi which are a lot worse on average than any on Raph.
Players that have brain fades always cop blasts = look at Zac when he was with us. In the main quite a good full-back, but everyone now and again he lost focus and awareness of where his opponent was.
Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
I agree that there's virtually no one who doesn't like Raph, or doesn't rate Raph, based on his colour.
However what I have experienced, and I suspect what others have also, is racism in how that assessment of his ability is conveyed to others. And I think that's where there's a lot of confusion every time this topic comes us.
It's not racist to think Raph's no good. And it's not racist to tell others you think Raph's no good. But if you do think Raph's no good then it is racist to remark to your mates, or yell out at the game, that he's a .............
Not many do, but unfortunately a very small minority simply have no sense of fairness or decency. Or of the hurt and disgust those comments can cause.
mr six o'clock wrote:I've been on this forum for 6 years and i carn't remember any times when other posters have made racist comments .
However there may be some examples .
I follow the views of nigel powers " there's only two thing i hate in this world . People who are intolerant of other peoples cultures and the Dutch ! "
i find that offensive
i have dutch heritage about 3 steps back and my partners parents are dutch
mr six o'clock wrote:I've been on this forum for 6 years and i carn't remember any times when other posters have made racist comments .
However there may be some examples .
I follow the views of nigel powers " there's only two thing i hate in this world . People who are intolerant of other peoples cultures and the Dutch ! "
i find that offensive
i have dutch heritage about 3 steps back and my partners parents are dutch
borderbarry wrote:I dont see why the coaching staff would not pick up on it. The media has from time to time.
You may be right. I may be a bit of a racist. Most Australians are. I like to think though that any racist feelings I do have are not directed towards our indigenous people.
Why? Where do you like to direct your racist feelings? Why are the aboriginals exempt fom your racism? What makes them so special?
Personally, I'd like to think that any racist feelings that I might harbour subconsciously, rarely if ever rear their ugly head twds anyone......... even Aboriginals
gringo wrote:Racist or not nothing pisses me off more than people making stupid judgement calls with no basis other than a perception. Guys like Gram can play three good games and get bagged anyway. Why not imagine you are trying to help point out something they might need to work on in their game straight to their face, then you probably won't step on any feet and get a negative response to your stupid statements.
Many on here, myself included, have made a number of constructive criticisms of Raph. For years, I certainly hoped he'd "make it" some day. It's just we are now pointing out the bleeding obvious, and I think the coach may agree with Raph's critics. Love to be proved wrong, but I think Raph's papers have been stamped. As for direct, face to face criticism, I don't have the time to get to training and I doubt Raph would be that interested in the opinions, or perceptions as you put it, of the average supporter. I will take your advice on board and remember that opinions and statements on here are to be treated as stupid, including your own.
I started with nothing and I've got most of it left!
