Little Goffy

Ok, let's roll this paper out. Pt.1. The coverage of the incident with the girl including her apologising and saying that she didn't really realise how racist it was and had just picked it up from some family members and other fans. So yes, it is actually on the public record. Also, it is well and truly on the record, and shown in footage from the game, that both Goodes and Jetta had been continually racially abused by the crowd, and that Goodes' decision to turn and point out the source of the abuse as a 'final straw' moment, before he even knew the face of the person he was turning to. Pt 2. "Wah wah wah don't you just hate it when people go around trashing the brand wah wah my country is so great how dare anyone say out loud that there are serious injustices in our history and current society, Australia is so great and free so shut up you stinker". One of these days it might occur to you that the procession of nicey-nice award winners all announcing what a magical land of milk and honey and equality for all are, actually, being divisive. Its just that the 1/3rd or so of Australia that, one way or another, has being left off the communal gravy train has also been cut out of the national conversation. When budgets come out and the papers are covered in 'How will a family on just $150,000 a year cope!', you know the country is messed up. One of the ways it is messed up has been, and continues to be, discrimination against Aboriginal people. If you want a country where someone from such a massively excluded part of the community should stand on a podium and say 'oh yes, I'm delighted with everything, come get a hug, I'm so grateful', maybe democracy isn't for you. Pt 3. a) Stolen Generations is a verified multi-generational event, documented in numerous sources and even found in bureaucratic archives, and actually meets all the (very tight) legal criteria of being an act of genocide in international law. Few pretend that Australia was any kind of utopia prior to settlement but there were a great variety of very different, functioning societies. The colonial and overall 'pre-rights era' set about, as a matter of policy, to destroy any semblance of leadership, continuity or even family connection. In theory the goal was assimilation but this was done in a half-hearted manner, often by people in favour of 'just letting them die out'. Rape of aboriginal women by mission leaders was not only common, but often done on the rationale of 'helping' the Aboriginal community become whiter. Aboriginal women were also routinely assigned as 'domestic servants' to 'help' the 'lonely' white settlers in outback areas, until they were returned mysterious pregnant. Intergenerational patterns of sexual violence were given a massive 'boost' by this era, and the means of healing and community leadership necessary to overcome it were also forcibly dismantled and not replaced. Try to remember that most of the Stolen Generations were selected because of their 'sufficient whiteness of appearance', and that a great many of those white-ish babies were the product of coercion or outright rape that was verifiably encouraged by many local officials as the best solution to the 'Aboriginal problem'. Now, I'm not pretending that Aboriginal communities were some kind of paradise of universal hugs and lollies, but to imply that the sexual abuse issue in remote Indigenous communities is a product of them 'being Aboriginal' and that the Stolen Generations 'myth' as you call it is some kind of excuse to avoid being 'saved' by the whites, is pretty vile and either outright racist or just mind-boggling ill-informed. Have you been getting your news from Andrew Bolt or Quadrant magazine? b) Beneficiary of European Settlement? The man happens to be seriously good at AFL, and you are making it sound like he got there as some kind of handout. Now, I've always been interested by the complex ambiguity of the benefits and harms of the Colonial era worldwide, but like most Aboriginal people Adam Goodes has managed to succeed despite having to overcome real harassment and real discrimination. Saying he somehow owes it to European settlement would be like saying you owe your livelihood to Syrians and Iraqis, since they pioneered urban settlements and all. Pt 4. None of your ancestors committed any atrocities. Ok. Good. Whose lands have they lived on? I guess there weren't any farmers in your family. No foresters, no fishers, no swagmen, shearers, miners, and nobody who, say, lived on the ground. I guess they just all levitated and lived by yogic deep breathing. Your ancestors "going back 5 or 6 generations on 4 sides" were all living and working on Aboriginal land that was forcibly taken. If you have a problem with Aboriginal people objecting to discrimination and pointing to disadvantage now, well, I am sure they would settle for sending you a 220 year rent bill and calling it even. Now, does that cover it, or would you like a reading list?

Plan B for when the system goes pear-shaped. Something simple. Something accountable. Something that is defensive but doesn't abandon all hope. Well, I could even get behind an absolutely basic 1-to-1 match-up all over the ground at this point.

There remains a significant racist population in Australia who habitually look for and make a point of remembering reasons to 'object' to someone who 'just happens to be' Aboriginal. A lot of the conversations about Adam Goodes over the years have been influenced by that scrum. Like the wailing about how 'divisive' his Australian of the year speech was; OMG! He mentioned bad things! OMG! Un-Australian! Slandering white-hater! And that influence, that sustained moaning, affects the conversations of decent people who personally would never consider a person better or worse for any ethnic background. Similarly, there are definitely people who make a special point of booing Goodes because of his background... no, not his background... his 'opinionated and divisive' habit of actually mentioning his background in public. That booing, and the wind-up of excuses for it, encourages other people, who may not be racist at all, to boo Goodes in turn. The 13-year old girl shouting explicit racist abuse really is the face of a lot of racism in Australia. She personally didn't really care or know much at all about Goodes' heritage, but she picked up her lines from adults around her and just gave them a go because it was fashionable in her social circles. I guess what I'm saying is, there may well actually be not very many 'real' racists in Australia, but they are loud, they think they 'stand for real Australia' and they are being allowed too often to get away with making that claim. Their influence produces a lot of racist effects, often enacted by people who personally aren't motivated by racism. But the results, especially for many Indigenous Australians, are just as real and damaging. And this is where it gets tricky; I would argue that it is not appropriate to boo Adam Goodes, even for earnest reasons, because the groundswell that gets that booing going has its heart in racism, and joining that chorus makes racism more confident. But I can see ow that would feel unnatural and timid to a lot of people. Its about where do you draw the line and say "I don't much like Adam Goodes, but I'm not going to get stuck into him, that has been made toxic because of so many racists yelling from the sidelines".

Oddly, wasn't it a loss like this that cracked Port's confidence earlier in the year?

Wow, you're coming from a looong way back in the pack. I... nup, can't be bothered. Why don't you just get on back to commenting on The Bolt Report.

To 3/4 time the score worm for our game looks uncannily like the US stock market crash circa 1930. Initial wavering, rebound, then implosion, dead cat bounce, and a final drop. Geez we could do with a couple of clearance guns the likes of Ebert and Gray.

10.6 66 Look out for Normans! And another goal to Port. Even though it is only a 4 goal margin, it is not looking good at all now. Viney on, but for Jetta, which is disappointing but maybe had to happen.

Is that you, Mark 'Webber' Neeld?

At least one of those will be Viney shortly. I just hope the players don't drop their heads as completely as some of the posters on here. 2 goals down at half time, the difference being a disasterous 15 minutes going into half time. Getting a lock onto Ebert would help a lot, too.

Surprised Fitz has been named forward pocket. Would have thought the was the perfect type (gangly, unco-looking bean pole) to match up on Westhoff. Pretty pleased with our defensive match-ups overall. McDonald on Shultz will be great to watch. Jetta on Wingard a top duel, too. Also looking forward to Hogan v Carlisle. Can't see any other Port players available who are able to match up on him. There is also the interesting battle of the lesser lights in the ruck. Spencer v Lobbe. Two rucks most famous for their tackling! Ahh, I expect to enjoy this match as a genuine tussle!

To those people who seem to think that 'people are messed up in Halls Creek and they were mean to me, therefore it is open slather on racial abuse', please attempt the alternative option; 'racial abuse is not ok, not at me, not at anyone'. See, it is so much simpler. We have all come across the puritanical activists of every kind and movement who insist 'their side' is somehow flawless. All we can do is roll our eyes and carry on being as good as we can in the real world. Also, come on people, Goodes being booed because of his 'attitude/somethingsomething/wahwah', you've gotta be kidding me right? Do a quick check list of the top players. Compare how much reason there is to boo them (paper-bag payments, chicken winging and pressure-points, for example) and how much they actually get booed. It's the old thing - Goodes might not be being booed 'because he is Aboriginal', but a tragically large number of people are happy to keep remembering everything he ever did that gives them an excuse to look down on him, and their habit drags conversations around them into the same space. If Judd were Aboriginal, you can bet there'd be a whole lot more people still talking about his 'fake leadership', his 'pretentious Prius environmentalism', his 'brain snaps', 'protected species/umpires pet' his 'arrogant attitude' and even his 'I really need to take a crap right now' facial expressions.

Well, the club and the player both disagree with you, and you're clearly just puffing yourself up, so, ok then, carry on pigeon fence.

Gee, does your close family member who was keen for this information not to be out in the public domain know you're blathering about it on football forums? Just as well few people take forum rumours seriously - only Jon Ralph will run with the story now.

The 4rse fell out of Carlton's attendance numbers after the loss to the 'pies. Lions - Ethiad - 20,300 Giants - Etihad - 16,700 Cats - Etihad - 32,000 Swans at the SCG this friday, then... Crows MCG Power MCG Suns Etihad Bulldogs Etihad Got to wonder if they'll even average 20,000 over those four games. This is starting to get too horrible to look at.

I know, even am close to, quite a few Carlton supporters and I do feel for them. It is a tricky balancing act - the Carlton Football Club Establishment which has played backroom above-the-law deals for decades can rot as far as I'm concerned, but I wouldn't wish an "MFC 2010-14" experience on any honest supporter. Must remember that the fans still bothering to turn up to their games are the ones who, probably ten or twelve years ago, had to make the 'my club thick or thin' decision. It is sad when people are punished for loyalty. I almost hope Carlton do something truly appalling to give their share of 'good, honest' supporters a reason to make a clean break. Like a relationship that has dragged on unhappily for many years, and finally the much needed infidelity comes and everyone can move on and be happy again. Still... if major systematic salary cap cheating, widespread boozing accompanied by [exactly as much illegal drug taking as it is safe to mention on a public forum, and not one pill or snort more], multiple bog-awful board interventions and acrimonious coach sackings, blatant and humiliating tanking, underworld connections, botched stadium re-developments and attempts to salvage them with backroom political leverage, ridiculous marketing campaigns, the neglect of player leadership development in the shadow of Chris Judd, and somehow managing to accumulate huge debts (still $5m) despite having marquee players and commercially favourable fixtures. What was I saying? Oh, yes, if you're still sticking with Carlton after all that, what would it take to make you leave them? Maybe it is a kind of 'boil the frog' thing. As long as they happen one at a time, people will strain their way through it.

Surely it is more 'newborn giraffe to unicorn' than duckling. Thrilled that he has shown something, will be watching and ready to cheer him on. Could be yet another feather in Jade Rawlings' cap.

Is there a credible leader left at the club? I'm honestly asking, I can't see one. Ah ha... As per the natural cycle of Carlton Football Club 21st century. First, take a veteran, legendary coach at the exact moment they are official over the hill. Dump them in appalling circumstances and blame them for the total failure of every element of the club. Then, grab a former champion and favourite son in an effort to reunite the club. Make sure it is too early in their coaching career for them to be ready, drag them through the mud for a few years before unscrupulously dumping them because they couldn't keep up with the arrogance of the marketing department. Repeat. So, SOS is a real possibility. Or Matthew Lappin? Fev? After that, in another four years it'll be Ross Lyon, who will decide that after finally cracking through for a premiership at Freo, he might retire from football for a while, only to be lured out by a massive contract offer from the Blues who are beginning to look like they might have something after a several years of top draft picks. Then he'll discover all too late that actually, the board and executive just want to use him as a proxy 'face' while they get to keep making all the decisions. Could it happen a third time? Carlton football club; where young careers stall and veteran reputations go to die.

She's a professional model in the 'glamorous, fit beach-body' niche. Has trained hard to develop her natural shape to exactly match the specifications required for her job. Managed to perfect the half duck-face pose, too. She has my respect as a professional and as part of the Demon family I hope her acting career is a success. I also hope than any children born to herself and Brad absorb both the natural fitness and the professionalism to train their body to the highest targets.

A musical yard-glass? You'll be a millionaire.

IGAF, for two reasons. Obviously the first is Melbourne's interest in grabbing some want-away talent. The second is, it really is a problem for all of us if AFL in Queensland is a total basketcase. The extra money needed to keep boosting profile and attendance by any means necessary is not an efficient way to empty the collective budget. On the other hand, now that the Gold Coast is actually suffering a bit and they've failed to simply become the draft-loaded steamroller we all feared, it is a little bit easier to accept them as part of the AFL community. They've got a bit of [censored] on them now, like the rest of us.

A few players each delivered a clean double on what 'popular expectations' of them were. Jake Spencer, a nice bundle of disposals including some kicks, 8 tackles, and 40 hit-outs. Who did the what the hey huh?! Jimmy Toumpas, well, well. There's life in the old horse yet. Jack Grimes, plenty of contested possessions, some tackles, 1%ers, and a nice haul of rebound 50s at a good disposal efficiency. Jolly good show. Jack Fitzpatrick. Well, I'll be. Overall it was a pretty good day for people whose name started with J. Several others were up on recent form. Vandenberg, despite not being someone you;d say had been a problem before, sure was part of the solution today. Bernie Vince got it like nobody was on him, but was actually playing a lock-down game of his own. Jeremy Howe was actually dangerous rather than plodding. Numbers not that much higher than recent, but presence much greater. Nathan Jones hasn't been bad, but it was good to see him right back into it at a level that he hadn't reached so much this season. I'm just really pleased. Really pleased. It's like going to a kids school recital and expecting it to be a disaster, but everything goes better than expected and all the kids go home feeling special.

Seems sensible. Brayshaw is clearly contributing but we want to keep getting the most out of him all season and career. Those are some good 'ins' to be considering. Naughty naught Grimes and Toumpas going and making it all a hard decision all of a sudden!

The TOUMP! And Bernie, why not? Well, that about settles things.

Dogs with the murmur to keep things nervous. Anyone else anxious that the Demons will start hesitating? As someone said earlier, 'keep being brave'.

It is uncanny how similar the 'score worm' is for Carlton and the Saints. Looks like the same game being repeated. (as observed midway through 2nd quarter) Wow... three teams have all burst out with four unanswered goals, followed by one reply and then a bit of a lull. Football is strange.