I would never criticise those who choose to be involved in the class action lodged in the Supreme Court in October, which seeks damages for the racial vilification they endured when playing in the AFL.
Former players’ experiences made the environment I played in better and hearing in stark terms what they copped makes me sad. They have every right to address their pain how they see fit and are showing great courage.
Jim and Phil Krakouer were stars for North Melbourne. Phil is the lead plaintiff in a class action against the AFL for damages due to the racism they endured during their careers.Credit: John O’Gready
But I do have concerns about the contents of the statement of claim lodged last week to support the action, which accuses specific individuals of using racial slurs during matches played 40 years ago.
That those people, Kevin Sheedy, Terry Daniher, Billy Duckworth and Wayne Johnston, have not had any chance to defend themselves before their names were attached publicly to slurs does not sit well with me. It just does not seem right.
Sheedy told News Corp he would vehemently defend himself against the allegations. Daniher, Duckworth and Johnston have not publicly responded to the allegations or the court action.
Those people – if they did make the comments attributed to them – are being singled out for awful phrases that were sadly commonplace throughout the community at that time.
Plenty of people, AFL players and others, would be ashamed at what they said in all sorts of settings in that era.
Many former players have even admitted their attitudes have changed significantly since that era as education made them more aware of the terrible impact of their comments. They are embarrassed about what was said at that time and fully support the shifts that have occurred in what the game accepts.
Accusing people of racism in a class action doesn’t seem fair
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13.03.2024
I would never criticise those who choose to be involved in the class action lodged in the Supreme Court in October, which seeks damages for the racial vilification they endured when playing in the AFL.
Former players’ experiences made the environment I played in better and hearing in stark terms what they copped makes me sad. They have every right to address their pain how they see fit and are showing great courage.
Jim and Phil Krakouer were........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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