This was published 8 years ago
Sydney Swans, Geelong Cats to run through same banner in support for Adam Goodes
By Andrew Wu
Geelong and the AFL Players Association have urged Cats fans to report those who continue to boo Adam Goodes when the Sydney champion makes his return on Saturday night.
The strong stance comes as it was announced that Sydney and Geelong players will run through the one banner on Saturday as part of a number of measures agreed to in a show of respect and unity for Goodes.
Welcome return: Adam Goodes back at Swans training.Credit: Brendan Esposito
Other measures agreed to by officials from both clubs, the AFL, the players union and Goodes' management on Wednesday include a live welcome to country ceremony as opposed to the normal broadcast on the scoreboard and the display of big screen messages and LED signage centred around respect, unity and fairness. Social justice commissioner Mick Gooda from the Human Rights Commission will also be a guest of the Cats.
The reception Goodes is given will be a major talking point this weekend after the dual Brownlow Medallist spent a week out of the game due to the negative effect the booing was having on him. The Swans are quietly confident it will not be an issue at Simonds Stadium.
Fairfax Media has learned Victoria Police will not be sending extra officers to the game. The Cats have encouraged all supporters to use the designated text line should they see anti-social and unacceptable behaviour.
AFL PA chief Paul Marsh said the booing of Goodes should be treated no differently to any other form of racist behaviour.
"Adam Goodes considers booing to be racist, if it continues then in our view it should be deemed to be racist behaviour," Marsh said. "The league's view on racist behaviour is to report it. If people continue they should be treated in the same way as any other form of racism."
Marsh is confident Cats fans will give Goodes the respect he deserves as a champion of the game.
"Other than playing at home there's no better place to play than Geelong," Marsh said.
"We expect he will get very respectfully treated by the Geelong crowd. Certainly the club's focused on ensuring that happens. Players down there are right behind Adam Goodes and want to see respectful courtesy."
Marsh said he would like to see more spontaneous gestures from the crowd like that on Saturday night when fans at the SCG broke into a standing ovation at the seven-minute mark of the third quarter in honour of Goodes' No.37.
"We'd love to see a celebration of Adam Goodes' career over the last part of his career," Marsh said.
It's expected the banner will also feature acknowledgement of Cats captain Joel Selwood's 200th game.
Geelong chief Brian Cook said the Cats and the Swans, two of the most respected clubs in the competition after their recent success, both regarded "respect and unity" as their core values.
"We believe the teams coming together before the game in this way is a clear message that while we compete during the game, there is and should always be great respect shown within that contest," Cook said.
"We love the fact that supporters are passionate, but we do not want this to cross the line.
"All players should feel comfortable that they are being treated fairly and we have great faith that our supporters will be doing all they can to help our team, but that doesn't include the reaction we have seen towards Adam in recent weeks.
"We have undertaken a collaborative approach to ensure everyone involved is comfortable with what is being undertaken."