34 minutes ago, Hopeful Demon said:

With all due respect, the fact that it was in the 'heat of the moment' doesn't make the whole thing less reprehensible.

You’re right. Being said in the heat of the moment doesn’t make it less reprehensible, and even if it did, he didn’t say it in the heat of the moment anyways. He said it on more than one occasion to the same player and he said it earlier in the season.

58 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

haha if it gives you any comfort at all... I used 'lawyerly' as I don't hold a practising certificate. So, legal qualifications only, although I do work with legislation.

JK. We have some lawyers in the DA and they’re awesome people. One’s a Demonlander who I adore and who is an amazing artist and who drew a sketch of Melky for me. Lawyer of the Year, for mine.

6 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Well, this is timely. Former West Coast player Mitch Brown has openly identified as bisexual.

https://thedailyaus.com.au/sport/first-openly-bisexual-afl-player-26-08-2025

Good on mitch for speaking out. A shame he cut his career short because he didn't feel comfortable in the football club environment & had to put up with teamates comments on gay people

15 hours ago, picket fence said:

I was a massive Sledger in my football and cricket days, and copped plenty back! I've been called everything and nothing was of limits. I was called a 'White Honky" by a big West Indian quick who played Test cricket, which I laughed of! Still think its pretty funny. In our Woke getting woker society, I can see the thought police right around the corner!

I can't resist making a comment any longer. PF, you don't understand. You could "laugh off" being called a "white honky" precisely because that particular comment reflects that you are not part of a minority group. If, however, as well as being a white honky you were also, say, part of a religious minority or identified as gay, and you "copped plenty" about that, you might feel quite different.

Before you say, "No I wouldn't", just check whether you've ever been part of a minority group before. if you haven't, then think a little further about how people in minorities might feel.

8 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I can't resist making a comment any longer. PF, you don't understand. You could "laugh off" being called a "white honky" precisely because that particular comment reflects that you are not part of a minority group. If, however, as well as being a white honky you were also, say, part of a religious minority or identified as gay, and you "copped plenty" about that, you might feel quite different.

Before you say, "No I wouldn't", just check whether you've ever been part of a minority group before. if you haven't, then think a little further about how people in minorities might feel.

Hnmm interesting,um I am my own self quite different and idiosyncratic, I think that puts me into a minority group of 1. Whilst Im at it have you noticed that a lot of minority groups seem to have more clout and are louder than majority groups, why is that!?

On 27/08/2025 at 14:01, Ethan Tremblay said:

I honestly don’t know what people’s obsession is with concerning themselves with who an individual (legally) sleeps with.

i very much get the sentiment, I do not care who a player sleeps with, I only care if the play good football.

but we do not want to enter into don't ask don't tell territory either

if a player wants to come out, but feels he can't that is a problem

If a player wants to invite his boyfriend to the Brownlow, but feels he can't that's a problem

if a player wants to marry his boyfriend, but feels he can't, that's a problem

8 hours ago, red and blue forever said:

i very much get the sentiment, I do not care who a player sleeps with, I only care if the play good football.

but we do not want to enter into don't ask don't tell territory either

if a player wants to come out, but feels he can't that is a problem

If a player wants to invite his boyfriend to the Brownlow, but feels he can't that's a problem

if a player wants to marry his boyfriend, but feels he can't, that's a problem

It sounds like Brown said his sexual orientation and teammates attitudes shortened his career. Just imagine a player(s) could have been so much better but instead their career just petered out. Same as any other "what might have been" somewhere along the way any team - even our team - may have missed out on a flag or two.

I’ll never understand why these sort of issues (Rankine) need to be dealt with in the public domain. If people are concerned with harm minimisation, then homophobic/other legally protected group slurs should absolutely be handled behind closed doors.

Who benefits from broadcasting the narrow views of one individual in an organisation of largely tolerant and respectful blokes?

Deal with offenders swiftly and harshly without broadcasting to the world which particular group their slur was aimed at. Serves absolutely no purpose doing this except for amplifying the message.

And don’t get me started on the media sensationalising players experiencing mental health difficulties. The way the media has reported on Clarry these last few years has been disgraceful.