Indigenous star Goodes set to play on after support from fans and players
SYDNEY: One of Australia’s most high-profile indigenous sportsmen is set to play on, his coach said Monday, with Adam Goodes humbled by the support received after persistent booing of him was slammed as racist.
The Australian Rules football star, a former Australian of the Year, ruled himself out of an AFL fixture last weekend, sparking fears he may call it quits after being the target of a barrage of boos throughout this season.
“I spoke to Adam late yesterday afternoon and he’s intending to come and train tomorrow and be available for selection this week,” Sydney Swans coach John Longmire told reporters of the Aboriginal player. “He was incredibly humbled by the support he received. “I don’t think he had intentions to watch the (Swans) game, but he ended up watching the final three quarters and couldn’t believe the amount of support that he had.” Australia’s race discrimination commissioner said last week the abuse of Goodes, 35, had gone beyond sport and become a blight on the country, and a campaign on social media, #IStandWithAdam, quickly gained momentum. Australians posted messages of support and photographs of themselves with Goodes’ playing number 37 on Twitter.
On Saturday a season-high crowd of almost 40,000 people at the Sydney Cricket Ground raised their voices in unison to cheer the absent Goodes in an emotionally charged game between the Swans and the Adelaide Crows. The stadium was dotted with Aboriginal flags and fans wearing the number 37, while others raised homemade signs including “Love Goodes, racism bad” and “Adam Goodes! We applaud & respect you”. Swans players ran into the stadium through a massive banner emblazoned with the word “RESPECT” as the team’s chairman Andrew Pridham slammed Goodes’ critics in a pre-match speech. Many believe the jeering was racially motivated and stemmed from Goodes’ reaction after being called an ape by a 13-year-old spectator at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013.