NRL star Latrell Mitchell has come to the defence of Lance Franklin and called out fans who targeted him with boos.
AFL: Swans coach John Longmire believes the response Buddy Franklin shows that the AFL community is headed in the right direction.
Franklin was showered with boos during the round eight contest against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
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The ugly scenes left a bad taste in the mouths of those watching on as the footy world called out the actions of the fans.
Collingwood issued an official apology to Franklin after club great Nathan Buckley called out the “ignorance and bigotry” of Magpie fans.
Now Mitchell and fellow NRL star Nicho Hynes have come forward to hit out against those booing a legend of the game.
“I get it a lot, so I know what it feels like,” Mitchell said to The Daily Telegraph.
Hynes added: “I don’t get it. What if Buddy Franklin were your brother or son? He is human, remember? How would watching and listening to that make you feel?”
Mitchell said he had no doubt in his mind the boos being directed towards Franklin were racially motivated.
Mitchell isn’t happy with the treatment Lance Franklin received.
“He’s (Franklin) obviously a proud Indigenous man,’’ Mitchell said.
“It’s definitely a targeted thing, obviously.
“The one thing is for sure, if he (Franklin) needs to reach out, or perhaps I’ll reach out to him, we’ve got each other’s back.
“I’ve got everyone’s back that goes through it.’’
Read the full interview with Mitchell and Hynes right here
Nicho Hynes has been one of the NRL’s form players this year. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Sharks superstar Hynes said he couldn’t believe how fans feel they’re free to hurl abuse towards athletes, a sentiment that has been shared throughout the week by many in AFL circles,
“What are they getting out of booing him (Franklin)?,” Hynes said.
“We play for the fans. We do everything, sometimes over and above, for the fans, so I don’t get why fans would come to a game, which is for pure entertainment, why they think that’s okay to boo and be racist towards one player?
“They need to think about if that was their son or daughter or family member, out there, doing something good and fun, to entertain people.”
Mitchell was the victim of racial abuse from a ran during a contest against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium in round 2 as he walked up the players’ tunnel.
Following both a police and NRL investigation, the governing body confirmed earlier this week that it had banned the teenager subject to an apology and further education.
Buddy walks off at the Pies game. Pic: Michael Klein
Mitchell told news.com.au that the process of the fan’s return to football didn’t concern him after originally revealing he had no intention to meet with the young fan as part of his education process.
“That’s not for me to focus on,” Mitchell said.
“For him … he might go through the protocols and whatever the NRL need … to be honest, I don’t really want to comment on it, it’s dealt with and I’m happy with the result.
“Just hopefully it sends a strong message now and continues to have that knock-on effect, if anyone’s going to say what they think they’ve got to say, it should be called out and (they should) be accountable for their actions.
“I’m just sending the message out to anyone out there that can hear it, that experiences it, that sees it in the public, in the crowd, at games, to make sure you get an official, and I’ll back you. No worries.”