EDDIE’S GAFFE
McGuire apologises for ‘proud day’ comment
COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire last night admitted he deeply regretted labelling Monday’s release of its racism report as a “proud day”.
Coach Nathan Buckley – who falls out of contract this season – presented his 2021 gameplan to the Magpies’ board on Tuesday, but it was McGuire’s apology that headlined the club’s Annual Genespecially eral Meeting. An embarrassed McGuire opened the virtual meeting by offering his latest public apology, this time forced to eat his unfortunate words as he blamed Monday’s gaffe on being blindsided by News Corp publishing the damning racism document.
“I said it was a proud day for Collingwood, and I shouldn’t have,” McGuire said.
“I did not mean we were proud of past instances of racism and the hurt that it caused. It’s been interpreted widely that way, and I regret that deeply.
“I’m sorry that my error has acted as a distraction from the importance of the findings on racism and the work that lies ahead. Under the pressure of the day the use of the word ‘proud’ was wrong.”
McGuire, entering his 23rd and final season at the helm of the Magpies, claimed the club “fully intended” to release its racism report, although the Magpies never planned on going public with it before last night’s AGM. “From there (the
Herald Sun releasing the report) we hastily consulted a number of people to clear a path to discuss the report publicly,” McGuire said.
“Over the course of an hour we answered every question. But in my opening I got it wrong. I meant to sincerely acknowledge not only the enormous work the club had done,
Jodie Sizer and Peter Murphy, in bringing this report together.
“But also the work of all our staff and their preparedness to take a deep and uncompromising look into our past as a club.”
Collingwood’s reconciliation action plan committee met on Monday night to discuss the path forward after the club accepted it had responded poorly to acts of racism.
On Buckley, chief executive Mark Anderson said: “We are backing Nathan in. He’s enthused, he’s energised.”
Board member Paul Licuria added: “As we did with his previous extension, it will be a full and thorough process”.
Licuria conceded the Magpies “had some concerns with our salary cap” last year and were handcuffed at the trade table. The Pies did not secure the full-forward they desperately crave, but Licuria said they were backing in their youth and would welcome explosive match-winner Jordan De Goey’s return to full fitness.
The Magpies made 2010 premiership stars Dayne Beams, Nathan Brown and Ben Reid life members.
Beams said there was “a lot of negativity” about McGuire. But Beams thanked McGuire for his support during the turbulent twilight years of his playing career in a pre-recorded video message.
“I apologise to anyone out there who potentially has been hurt by my actions over the last couple of years,” Beams said.
“It wasn’t me. I’ve made some really poor decisions in the last couple of years.”