- Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide united against domestic violence
- The two clubs made a powerful statement on Thursday
- The AFL has been accused of making an empty gesture
Football stars came together to say “enough is enough” in the AFL’s powerful stance against domestic violence on Thursday.
Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide formed a united front before the first bounce, and the crowd at Adelaide Oval observed a moment of silence to remember the women who have died due to violence inflicted by men.
The AFL’s gesture has divided the football world, with some fans and football greats claiming the move is empty.
Some have even called the AFL hypocritical for appearing to welcome back a player like Tarryn Thomas, who has been found guilty of conduct related to domestic violence.
“Nothing but hypocritical bragging,” wrote one fan on X.
Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide formed a united front on Thursday night
The two football clubs took a strong stance against domestic violence
‘Remember that it is not just Tarryn Thomas who has committed violence against women. You have the media (Wayne Carey), other current and former players (read Night Games, Milne). There is a lot in and around the AFL and football culture. “The AFL needs drastic measures, not just lights and hugs,” posted another.
‘Everything is great…don’t buy it for a second! Tarryn Thomas will be back, which is disgusting enough! wrote another.
“And yet next year Tarryn Thomas will be on a list again, and the AFL media will be advertising him on all platforms and this will all be just another act of virtue signaling,” a third responded.
Essendon coach Brad Scott believes the troubled star deserves a second chance, but Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel, who experienced and witnessed horrific domestic violence growing up, is not so sure.
‘I feel very uncomfortable with that. “I understand the whole premise of forgiveness and opportunities, he has had several opportunities with his alleged behaviour,” Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Classified programme.
‘But at some point there has to be a fork in the road, because the forgiveness angle hasn’t worked. In fact, the numbers are getting worse.
‘I was part of a campaign that was seven years ago, trying to very visually put the AFL as a leader, saying no to domestic violence, starting conversations, parents with children. And we are getting worse.
This weekend’s nine AFL games will highlight the huge problem of violence against women.
‘So I understand your premise that the AFL we can lead the charge, we can rehabilitate, we can be leaders in this space.
‘But all this forgiving, trying again, trying again, it’s not working. So at some point, what’s happened in the past… we actually have to go in a little more different direction. I lean a little more toward zero tolerance than others because that’s personal to me.
“I’m open to all discussions, but I feel incredibly uncomfortable because we’re going to have players arm in arm and another woman dies… I just find it very difficult.”
More to follow.