May 8, 2023

Indigenous great Michael O’Loughlin, a board member for Sydney, expressed his disappointment….

Indigenous great Michael O'Loughlin, a board member for Sydney, expressed his disappointment and rage at the "disgraceful" booing of Lance Franklin after urging the competition to honour the future Hall of Fame hero in what is likely his final season.

After witnessing his dear friend and premiership teammate Adam Goodes being ejected from the game due to similar crowd outbursts, O'Loughlin stated that it was the responsibility of the entire AFL industry to call out the booing.

O'Loughlin said he was heartbroken to have to explain to his teenage son why he believed Buddy had received jeers from Collingwood supporters when they watched the game on replay on Sunday night.

The 303-gamer insisted that the boos needed to be addressed, despite claiming that his thoughts were not those of the club or its leadership.

The act of listening to it was shameful. I don't see why you would jeer at a sporting star, he told the Herald Sun.

"You have the final two chances to see a great player in action, but for the life of me, I can't get it." Whatever the justification, it is totally unacceptable, and I am very unhappy.

"To help put an end to oppression, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need the support of the rest of Australia. We can stand up and express how disappointed we are, but it's no longer funny. We are worn out, both physically and mentally. Numerous other people, like Eddie Betts, have spoken about it.

There is only one more game left at the MCG to see an amazing player like Buddy; hopefully, he will be fit and well. Then, for a very long time, you won't see another player quite like him. I'm not aware of the causes. I'm putting two and two together to find a solution.

"It is irritating and disappointing." Although I am experiencing a range of emotions, many people are having trouble appreciating this outstanding talent.

While some supporters claimed that the early booing of Goodes was a pantomime show and that it was club against club sparring, O'Loughlin made it obvious that Franklin did not buy that line of reasoning.

"I denounce that and call it out for what it is." "He is a fantastic player; therefore, I don't believe you are booing him," the man replied.

"We are so exhausted from having to speak in front of everyone each week to discuss it." To defend us against our indigenous players, we need more advocates.

"I am quite dissatisfied. This is my personal view; I haven't spoken to anyone at the football club. I want to be very clear about that, but my son asked, "Dad, why are they booing him?" Following that, you need to talk to your son. This is bad.

In my opinion, we are all fortunate to be able to see anything firsthand, live, and in person. He came to our team here in Sydney after I had watched him at Hawthorn, and he is the closest thing we have to Michael Jordan. At every turn, he draws attention.

Buckley calls Collingwood supporters ignorant and bigoted.

Nathan Buckley, a former Collingwood star, criticised Magpies supporters for jeering at Lance Franklin, an "undisputed champion" of the sport, saying it went against the club's guiding principle this season.

During Collingwood's victory over Sydney at the MCG on Sunday, Franklin received audible jeers from a portion of the Magpie Army each time he marked the ball.

Franklin, 36, only managed to fall one point behind in the game despite having 13 disposals and six marks.

"I love the Collingwood faithful, but I've got a message for them," remarked Buckley.

"Your squad is the talk of the town, and they conduct themselves with dignity and class both on and off the field."

Let's try to line up on the opposite side of the fence, then.

At best, it was a reluctant acknowledgement of Franklin's persistent skill versus Collingwood; at worst, it was ignorant and bigoted.

The next time, the crowd, according to Buckley, should be better.

In response to the booing, he remarked on SEN radio, "If we get another chance, I hope Collingwood fans that aren't stupid and that aren't bigots stand up and applaud every time he gets a touch and try to drown that (booing) out."

"That's exactly what the game's leading players and his position merit."

"We were given the chance to celebrate this undeniable champion, but some of the followers decided to disparage him." In my opinion, we missed the chance to act morally and take the high ground.

The booing Franklin received during his debut game against Collingwood at the MCG since donning Hawthorn uniforms in 2013 surprised Sydney coach John Longmire as well.

Why are you booing him? stated Longmire.