Some may have seen that I have not written for a while. This was done on a premise that I had hoped would not eventuate. I had hoped that the reason I have not written anything would be resolved, and that I would not have to escalate what has been going on and now take this step. The time is now!
To clarify, this has nothing to do with the team, the coaches or anything in the football department. This is solely on the club’s administrative side.
For over six months, I, together with others, have been dealing with the administration side of the club with regard to a certain supporter group who have been bullying, harassing and being racist towards others. This is not only during a game but also outside of it. The club has been presented with numerous examples of the issues, but has not taken action on any of them. No matter what proof has been shown, those who are supposedly there to ensure that ALL members feel safe, protected, and heard, and to know that if there are any issues, they are met with respect, efficiency, and, above all, statements made by club personnel are truthful and valid.
This is a statement that, having dealt with the issues presented to the club, nothing has been done; and those who are supposedly there to ensure that ALL members are treated with decency and respect are actually handled with anything but decency and respect. Statements have been made to those dealing with the issues, which have proven to be mere words to placate and hope they just “go away”.
In December 2025, I provided the club with detailed and photographic evidence of a rise in toxicity, racism, bullying and hypocrisy with regard to the club’s stance on “stronger together” and the Respect program, from a group that has been allowed to continue and where no action was taken when issues were originally raised. It seems that the club wants to go down the path of handing it off to others who have decided to let that group know about the situation and, so, do nothing.
This is confined to a small group of individuals. I informed the club that I would have no hesitation in taking it further, but it seems that they refused to take any action or responsibility for the continuation of this toxic environment. When people come up to me or send me messages and screenshots of what is going on and what has been reported to the club, and nothing is done, the question has to be asked: Why is the club so reluctant to take any action?
If a person in this group yells to an Indigenous opposition player, “you’re an ape,” or to another player with a Jewish-sounding surname, “you should have all been gassed”, should that person remain in the group? The answer is: NO. But yet, that person is still there. If a person made a complaint to that group and was greeted with the reply, after a week of inaction, “Oh, I forgot,” should that person remain in their position? Is this what the club wants from its supporters, where the club promotes a “stronger together” stance and where this inaction is anything but stronger or together?
What about the fact that other people in other AFL groups want nothing to do with this group, because they are rude, toxic, arrogant and disrespectful. Then why are they still allowed to be part of the club? The group’s stance on the club’s Respect program is hypocritical: they promote a “respect” stance, yet behind the scenes, they are anything but respectful. Why is this still being tolerated at the club?
Why have some been intimidated, bullied, ostracised and demeaned because they took a stance that encompasses “stronger together” and “respect”? Is this what the club wants to promote in terms of its supporter base? This will not go away until something is done at the club. Until these individuals are removed from the power and control that they deem is rightfully theirs.
I, like many others, am fed up with what is going on and the club’s lack of action, so I had hoped that it would be rectified behind the scenes and not come to this. But I was wrong.
We are not a club of one that is “Stronger Together”, from an administration perspective, but we are fractured, bullied, pushed aside because we don’t fall into the clique and are treated with an arrogance that comes from those who truly believe they are the most decent and respectful individuals, and it is their right to be in the position they are.
I have tried to present facts and evidence and have removed emotion from the issues, as that does not solve anything, but it is continually falling on deaf ears at the club. This cannot continue. The club cannot promote the “Stronger Together” stance if this group of people is allowed to continue.
If we want to solidify the club as being one that is stronger together, shows respect both on the field and off, then it must apply to every aspect of the club, including ridding those who are far too arrogant to see the damage they are doing, and that includes those who want the issues that are plaguing this group to be continued and not do anything .
I will always be a massive supporter of the club. I love what the football department is achieving right now. They should be proud of this, as we can see the possibilities for the future, which look very bright. The players are enjoying playing together and support each other no matter what. The players have a stronger together attitude, and it is showing. But this has to encompass all parts of the club, not just the football department. But would the football department be proud of the lack of any meaningful action against a group of people who are anything but respectful and do not promote a stronger-together stance? Or would they be appalled at what is happening?
The time is now to make the club, the entire club and all its departments be one that not only promotes but actually acts both on the field and off the field, a stronger-together mantra. Otherwise, nothing will change in any aspect. Words become hollow when they are not backed up by action.
Always #GO BLUES!
P.S An official complaint has been made with the AFL Integrity Unit and other organisations. Also, even though I have been promised by the club that replies to the issues sent via email and phone would be forthcoming, nothing has been forthcoming. One reply I received did not address the issues and was only a stock-standard reply that used terminology they hoped would confound and appease me, far from it.
Image courtesy of AFL
SPORTZ 