Former SA country footballer Justin Smedley — who is openly gay — calls out homophobic slurs at AFL’s top level

A gay SA former country footballer says homophobic slurs at the top level of footy in Australia just prove it’s an environment seen as “unsafe” by those who identify as LGBTQI+.

A former SA footballer who played in a country league as an openly gay man says homophobic slurs at the top level show footy is seen as “unsafe” by those who identify as gay.

Justin Smedley, who was a talented junior and senior footballer playing in the state’s Murraylands, said the impact of slurs such as that used by Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson needed to be better understood.

“There would be a teenager in Port Adelaide or country SA who is currently questioning their sexuality,” he said.

“They would be very hurt and would have also received a clear message about who is and isn’t accepted in footy.”

Mr Smedley said he had experienced homophobic slurs while playing country football.

Former SA footballer Justin Smedley, right, pictured playing footy with brother Bradley Smedley.

“I can recall feeling anxious about comments made, even in passing from the age of 16-18, especially when I started playing senior football,” he said.

Mr Smedley said he was not convinced there was active hatred for gay men.

“I hope we’ve come further than that … however, an insult that uses language, such as the one used by Finlayson, serves to position gay men inferior to straight men,” he said.

He agreed with recent media comments by AFL stars Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood who recently expressed their concerns over the fact no AFL player has felt comfortable enough to come out publicly as gay.

“There will be hurt and anxiety for those AFL players who do internally identify as gay or bisexual within the AFL,” he said.

“I think the fact that there is not a single player who identifies as gay in the AFL is pretty telling of a community and a social environment that is perceived to be unsafe by those who do identify as gay.

“If the population of AFL players is consistent with the statistics of gay men in Australia,

we can’t pretend that gay men aren’t already playing the game.”

Justin Smedley with a football idol Nathan Eagleton.

Current Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor was infamously stood down by his radio station 3AW after homophobic comments in 2014.

First, he called Geelong’s Harry Taylor “a big poofter” during Seven’s coverage of a match in 2014, before a homophobic slur against a 3AW colleague weeks later.

“I don’t want to offend his upbringing or his parents … but he looks gay,” Taylor said about a colleague in 2014.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just a look, as ‘sophisticated’ is a look, as ‘daggy’ is a look. You look gay.”

Sam Newman is also no stranger to off-field controversy.

The chaotic ex-commentator and media personality “mutually” agreed to part ways with the Channel 9 network in 2020 because it was “in the station’s best interests”, he said in a Twitter (X) post.

In 2014, Newman attacked NFL draftee Michael Sam on the Channel 9 Footy Show for kissing his boyfriend, calling it an “annoying gratuitous act”. He was subsequently criticised by hosts James Brayshaw and Garry Lyon.

Former St Kilda small forward Steven Milne managed to escape suspension in 2012 after he allegedly called Collingwood defender Heritier Lumamba a “f*****g h**o” in a heated verbal exchange.

Stephen Milne playing for St Kilda against Richmond in 2013. Picture: Joe Castro / AAP

Milne apologised for the incident and was fined $3000 and forced to undertake an AFL education program.

Mr Smedley said it was a shame to consider the anxiety and energy being invested by gay men to conceal their sexuality.

“That is a lot of wasted mental focus that could be spent on their game and more importantly, enjoying life,” he said.

“Hearing homophobic comments in the AFL is disappointing but it also reflects the ‘f*g discourse’ that does exist in footy.

“Unfortunately, I think it is a matter of time … we need more time for attitudes and values to change.

“Ultimately, the players at the AFL have a great deal of influence and I would be looking to them to understand what they say matters.”

Originally published as Former SA country footballer Justin Smedley — who is openly gay — calls out homophobic slurs at AFL’s top level