A real Goodes example
THE man charged with promoting indigenous involvement in Australian football believes Adam Goodes’ controversial war cry could set an example for generations to come.
The AFL’s head of diversity, Jason Mifsud, said he hoped Goodes’ goal celebration against Carlton becomes a widely-accepted tradition in footy like it has in New Zealand rugby.
“Rather than be intimidated or antagonistic against another form of cultural expression, maybe it’s the precursor to cultural expression and dance becoming a really significant part of the next 100 years of our game,” Mifsud said.
“The haka is synonymous with world sport and it’s not just for Maori New Zealanders, it’s for all New Zealanders and that’s the position I would take.
“How does this become a part of our national identity and AFL identity?
“Not for Aboriginal people, but for all people?”
Melbourne pair Jeff Garlett and Heritier Lumumba appeared to follow Goodes’ lead over the weekend in celebrating goals against Port Adelaide in Alice Springs.
“You do see the All Blacks when they score a try go into war cry pose. It’s like when Greg Inglis scores a try he’ll go into a goanna,” Mifsud said.
“It’s a form of cultural expression. I don’t know if we want to get caught up in the semantics around whether it was a confrontational dance or a celebration dance, but what I do know is the intent, as Adam has articulated, was about representation and celebration and that shouldn’t be lost.
Goodes, who was taught the war cry by the Flying Boomerangs under-16 side in 2009, has copped criticism for directing it towards Carlton supporters on Friday night. But the Swans star was given the support of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan yesterday.
McLachlan, like Mifsud, was at the SCG on Friday night and is understood to have looked on in excitement as Goodes broke into celebration.
“We are a big enough game to accept and celebrate this type of expression,” McLachlan said yesterday.
Hawthorn’s Shaun Burgoyne said Goodes’ actions had been misunderstood.
“I think the Carlton fans should be proud that he’s doing it to them,” Burgoyne told Channel 7.
“In no way do I think he meant to make them angry. I think it was a show of respect.”