Sydney chairman labels 2015 booing of Adam Goodes as most ‘shameful’ year in Australian sport

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has labelled the booing of Adam Goodes during the 2015 AFL season as one of the most “shameful years in the history of Australian sport” in a powerful speech calling out the racism Goodes endured during his career.

Adam Goodes in action during his illustrious playing career. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has labelled the booing of Adam Goodes during the 2015 AFL season as one of the most shameful years in the history of Australian sport.

Goodes was made a ‘Bloods Legend’ at Sydney’s Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday night where he was honoured not only for his playing career but for his impact on the community.

In inducting Goodes as a legend, Pridham delivered a heartfelt and powerful speech that called out the racism the Brownlow Medallist endured during the final seasons of his career.

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“He endured one of the most shameful years in the history of Australian sport,” Pridham said of the 2015 season.

“Sydney played Carlton at the SCG and won in convincing fashion. During the game, Adam scored a goal from a set shot 40-metres out.

“In the spirit of the theme and inspired by the AFL’s Under 16 indigenous team, the Flying Boomerangs, Adam did a celebratory dance on the eastern side of the ground, which finished with a simulated throw of a spear.

Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham and CEO Tom Harley induct Adam Goodes as a Sydney legend. Picture: Damian Shaw

“The reaction was extraordinary.

“A couple of past players with reputations for sheer on-field brutality were critical of Adam’s actions. ‘It’s an aggressive act,’ they said. Seriously?

“Has anyone watched the All Blacks Haka? Or, as Adam later questioned, can an imaginary spear cause injury?

“The booing, and worse, basically became institutionalised as the season progressed despite appeals from club administrators and players.

“How could anyone put up with this?

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“And what was the driver for the behaviour?”

Goodes was consistently booed in 2015 with Sydney, the AFL and rival players and coaches urging fans not to disrespect the star utility.

“It was bullying on a grand scale. Enough was enough,” Pridham said.

“Adam Goodes dominated the national debate. Adam Goodes now transcended sport and moved to a different sphere of Australian consciousness and culture. Commentators, politicians, sporting figures and the general public ferociously debated Adam Goodes, racism and what Australia should stand for.

Adam Goodes in action during his illustrious playing career. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Most now saw the treatment of Adam for what it was — disgraceful and racist. However, some took the opposing view and saw Adam Goodes as the villain.

“To those people — your villain is with us tonight and is now formally a Bloods Legend.”

Pridham paid tribute to Goodes’ character in the face of the booing saga, which he said started with Hawthorn supporters in 2013.

“Across all the tribulations of 2013 to 2015 (and beyond) he has never once made a personal attack on any of his detractors,” he said.

“His career will be defined by on-field brilliance. By his overflowing success and achievements.

“His professional life will be defined by his profound impact on thousands of kids finding better education, and even broader, a nation desperately seeking heroes and leaders with humility and courage.”

Goodes played 372 games for the Swans, played in the club’s 2005 and 2012 premiership teams and won two Brownlow Medals.

Originally published as Sydney chairman labels 2015 booing of Adam Goodes as most ‘shameful’ year in Australian sport