Port Adelaide, Adelaide players have sent a strong message that must be echoed by the fans

IT was a powerful moment, one that should have happened eight months ago when the Port Adelaide indigenous AFL players wanted to stand arm-in-arm with their Crows brothers to support Eddie Betts.

IT was a powerful moment, one that should have happened eight months ago when the Port Adelaide indigenous AFL players wanted to stand arm-in-arm with their Crows brothers to support Eddie Betts.

As Adelaide captain Taylor Walker and Power skipper Travis Boak turned up with their team leadership groups and dressed in their club uniforms on the northern mound at Adelaide Oval no-one would have believed just three days earlier they were in heated battle for a football.

This time they were no longer rivals. And this time they were declaring war – on racism – as allies.

UNITED STAND AGAINST RACISM

“We cross the line out there as rivals in a game,” said Walker pointing to the playing field where Showdown 42 had highlighted how great Australian football can be as a contest bringing together men of differing backgrounds, race and religion.

“But we never cross that line of being racist. That’s gone in sport – and it should be gone in everyday life too.”

Eddie Betts of the Crows runs with the ball during Showdown 42.

Question is: When will it be gone from the terraces, not just at Adelaide Oval but in suburbia and interstate, as is well remembered from the moments at the MCG and Subiaco Oval in Perth with Brownlow Medallist and Sydney premiership hero Adam Goodes?

Question is: Will the racial taunting of players from visiting teams fall on deaf ears at the Oval this weekend when it is just the Crows fans to hear it – and wanting to avoid calling out one of their own?

And will the scene be repeated the week after when the Port Adelaide fans go silent when the guy who has sat behind them for 20 years crosses that line – and be ignored because “it was so out of character” or a “heat of the moment” outburst?

It will happen.

“We know it,” says Boak.

“But we’re now saying enough is enough.

“As players we are making a stand. We are taking a tough stance and not only for Adelaide Oval and Adelaide, but for all of Australia; not only for sport, but for all of Australian society. We’re saying no to racism. We’re saying the fans have to understand we have said no to racial comments on the field and we want them to do the same off the field.”

Paddy Ryder and Sam Jacobs battle during Showdown 42. Picture: Sarah Reed

The message is strong – as is the image of unity from the Port Adelaide and Crows players who gathered at Adelaide Oval.

Last year it was to have been just the indigenous players from the two SA-based clubs, in particular Chad Wingard at Port Adelaide, who were going to stand together with Betts to deliver a message of unity.

This year the picture has been taken and with the teams’ leadership groups adding their support to Betts – and now Patrick Ryder.

Next year? Hopefully it is not the entire Port Adelaide and Crows squads for the same picture because there are still fools on the terraces thinking they have a right to vilify the players on the basis of buying a ticket.

The challenge is before the Crows and Power fans to clean up this mess – and not excuse anyone simply because they are wearing your team’s scarf.

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