Paul Starick: Football fans now see a racist slur as an outrage

THE Port Adelaide supporter who hurled a banana at Eddie Betts in a racially motivated attack is the type of ugly fan who turns people away.

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EDDIE Betts is spellbinding player, whose extraordinary ability to kick impossible goals makes fans want to come to the footy.

The Port Adelaide supporter who hurled a banana at him in a racially motivated attack is the type of ugly fan who turns people away.

Betts was the game-changer in Saturday night’s Showdown, winning his 250th game off his own boot by kicking five goals. It’s testament to his skill that he now routinely snaps them from seemingly preposterous angles.

Adelaide fans began almost literally hero worshipping Betts once he arrived from Carlton in 2014. Despite the adulation, he remains steadfastly quiet, modest and unassuming. Even his goal celebrations are delivered with an almost apologetic half-raising of his arms, as even Betts himself is not quite sure how he just did something amazing.

As a Crows member since the first day tickets went on sale in 1991, my loyalties are obvious. But Port Adelaide deserves credit for acting swiftly to tackle the renegade actions of a supporter nobody would want backing their team.

Power supporter Jamie Christodoulou, who was sitting near the offending fan, expressed the view of right-thinking football followers. He just wants to take his kids to an AFL game unmolested by spectators shouting foul language or racist taunts.

“I’m sick of being stereotyped as a feral, because of people like her,” Christodoulou posted on Facebook fan site The Alberton Crowd.

“Betts did heckle the crowd after he got that goal, but he didn’t deserve such a racist act. She clearly had it planned. It wasn’t just a banana peel, it was a whole one!!!”

Anyone who’s attended footy for a long time will know that racist slurs like this are now considered outrages. They are dealt with as such by spectators, stadium managers, clubs and the AFL.

Even the despicable booing of Adam Goodes last year, while more widespread, was considered revolting by most fans. Some questioned whether it was racially motivated. Whatever the cause, a two-time Brownlow Medallist deserved far greater respect and honour.

In the not-too-distant past, racism was more commonplace on the terraces. Even after Nicky Winmar famously and bravely bared his skin in the face of racist taunts at Victoria Park, players were targeted.

Sometimes, these slurs were unconsciously delivered by fans of an older generation and intended as praise. I recall one ageing Crows fan delighting in a spectacular piece of play by indigenous player Graham Johncock, who made his debut in 2002. “Black magic!” he loudly declared, prompting muted protests from people like me, who were confused and shamefully nonplussed.

But simply speaking out about racism will not solve the deep-rooted issues behind the comments. Port Adelaide, to its credit, has done much to advance education and healthy lifestyle choices for Aboriginal people.

Most particularly, this has been through the Aboriginal Power Cup, with a competitive football carnival as its centrepiece. More than 385 students from 39 South Australian schools participate.

Australian rules football has been a powerful force for advancing recognition and understanding of indigenous people. This was encapsulated in this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, named in honour of the former SA governor. Betts’ aunty designed the guernsey worn by the Crows.

Clearly, there is a long way to go to appropriately recognise Australia’s first people and overcome poverty and injustice in Aboriginal communities.

But unassuming, brilliant role models like Betts stand out as a beacon to all. When appreciating his matchwinning ability, we should all be colourblind.