Are Footy Commentators Racist?

Ever since the famous incident captured in this picture I have been concerned about racial stereotypes in foot commentary. We might have made huge progress in on field sledging and barracking; but the commentators persist with language that is disturbing when talking about the skill of Aboriginal players.

I have bitten my tongue on many occasions but now that Sydney legend, Adam Goodes, has come out and named the issue, it is appropriate to continue the discussion he has raised.

Goodes writes:

"Silky, magic, lightning, jetstar, twinkle toes. You've all heard the descriptions that are used for indigenous players when they do something brilliant on the football field.

When Cyril Rioli dances around one opponent, sidesteps another and then burns off, runs and bounces to kick a goal, the commentators get excited about his so-called magical skills and freakish pace. But my favourite memory of Cyril is of something quite different. It's from the 2008 grand final, when young Cyril, then in his first year of football, found himself on the members' wing, taking on two Geelong players in Corey Enright and Max Rooke. He tangles with Enright, strips the ball from the Geelong player, then crawls along the ground to get to the next contest with Geelong hard man Rooke. He throws himself at Rooke, lays a heavy tackle and wins the free kick.

"You can't coach that, it's instinct,'' said the commentators.

I disagree. What Rioli displayed in that pivotal moment on football's biggest stage was a result of hard work, second effort, dogged determination and competitive spirit. There's nothing magical about indigenous footballers. They are not born with any special powers. ...Like any other footballer, to get drafted they've had to sacrifice things along the way, such as time with family and friends, and put years of effort into improving their game and their fitness."

It is important to have discussions like this, otherwise we end up perpetuating stereotypes about Indigenous people.