Why Michael O’Loughlin fears racism in Australian sport will never disappear – as Swans great maintains the AFL ‘let Adam Goodes down’ following his infamous ‘ape’ slur from young fan

AFL great Michael O’Loughlin has expressed fears racism in Australian sport will never be fully eradicated.

He also remains devastated by what his former Swans team-mate Adam Goodes had to endure from football “fans” at the twilight of his decorated football career.

Goodes then criticized a young Collingwood supporter for labeling him an “ape”.

O’Loughlin, a premiership winner with the Sydney Swans in 2005, experienced racism first-hand when he was just 10 years old growing up in Adelaide.

“The youth stuff was tough,” O’Loughlin said. Fairfax Media.

‘There were always comments about skin color and who I was. She made me angry, she made me more determined. She annoyed me, but I would try to fight back, which is not the answer.

“My mother and grandmother took me aside and said, ‘You’ll be fighting every day of your life if that’s the way you want to handle things.’

‘Look at football. Get the soccer ball. He plays well and kicks goals. This way you will get ahead.

O’Loughlin moved to Sydney and was ranked ahead of the 1995 season and scored 521 goals in 303 appearances before being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The tireless previous work of indigenous figures such as Nicky Winmar and Michael Long ensured that O’Loughlin was not often racially vilified on the field, but he singled out dishonest supporters as the current problem, mainly those who are desperate to “do their bit.” sand”. ‘ to the players.

He was also saddened by the racial abuse that former AFL star Eddie Betts’ children were recently subjected to while playing basketball in their backyard.

O’Loughlin said it was another example of what is a recurring problem in Australian society.

The dynamic forward is also adamant that the AFL “let down” his former teammate Goodes.

Goodes was booed and sent off from the game after, in 2013, he criticized a 13-year-old girl at a Swans game against the Magpies for using an abhorrent racist slur.

He retired under a cloud of controversy two years later, and in 2019 the AFL apologized for the terrible treatment he received.

“I feel sad, angry, frustrated,” O’Loughlin said.

‘The game disappointed Adam. Absolutely disappoint him. And we are poorer for it.

‘It’s something I reflect on often. You have those moments where you just shake your head.

‘Aboriginal peoples, we are tired of fighting to prove our worth. And it’s up to our non-indigenous friends, when they hear and see stupidity that just isn’t current, they report it.’