How does the AFL contribute to contemporary Indigenous living?

Historical Comparisons

Travis Flockhart 

The landscape of the Australian Football League has evolved dramatically since it’s inception in 1897. Not only have the rules and the level of athleticism changed over the years, but the diversity of cultures and backgrounds represented on the field has also expanded significantly. Australian Football and our nation’s first inhabitants share a rich intertwined history. ‘In fact, many believe that the sport was developed from an Aboriginal game called ‘Marngrook.’ (AFL, 2005). The first known player of Aboriginal descent to play at AFL level was Fitzroy’s Joe Johnson, who played 55 games, including premierships in 1904 and 1905. Geelong’s Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, who revolutionised the game with his use of handball and was named in the AFL Team of the Century, and Carlton’s Syd Jackson were stars of the 1960s and early 1970s (AFL, 2005). 

In a speech given by AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, he stated: “From 1906–1980, records show there were only 18 players who claimed Indigenous heritage to have played in the Victorian Football League”. He went on to say, “This was not about racism on the field. This was about ignorance, about limiting opportunity, about a superiority complex. It’s extraordinary to consider what a blight that is on our history, but there are much happier statistics to show how dramatic our attitudes have changed.” (2005). In 2005 there were 52 Indigenous players on AFL lists representing about 7 per cent of total player lists. In 2011 the number of Indigenous players had grown to 78 which does show a significant growth and is perhaps the ‘happier statistics’ that Demetriou was referring to. 

It has taken great courage for many Indigenous players to pursue a career in the AFL as they have had to overcome racial prejudices and a lack of cultural awareness in order to excel at their chosen sport. Much of the on field racism and issues involving racial prejudice remained unspoken until 1995 when Michael Long, Essendon great and spokesperson for Indigenous rights, spoke out about the on field issues and the prejudice he had experienced on the field as an Indigenous AFL player. This led to the AFL introducing ‘Rule 30’ covering Racial and Religious vilification. Since its inception, the rule has been constantly reviewed and is now expanded to include prohibition of vilification on the basis of special disability and sexual orientation.

                                                           Gavin Wanganeen

Rule 30

30.1 Prohibited Conduct

No person subject to these Rules shall act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person ("the person vilified") on any basis, including but not limited to, a person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, special ability/disability or sexual orientation, preference or identity. (AFL, 2011)

 The AFL states that ‘racial and religious abuse is best tackled by education and conciliation.’ (2011). This means that any player in breach of the above rule is required to attend an approved education program in relation to racial and religious vilification.

Indigenous players in the AFL today are well respected for their athletic ability and the flair they bring to the game. Their ball-handling and evasive skills have thrilled many crowds. In some cases, the way players of Aboriginal descent have played the game has changed everyone’s perceptions about what is possible on a football field (AFL, 2002). Clubs recognise the potential for talent and many initiatives have been organised to nurture Indigenous players and give them an opportunity to play at an elite level, some reaching as far as the remote communities in Australia to scour for talent. As Brisbane great Chris Johnson has said, ‘The way the game has embraced us, they know we’re electric and a pretty exciting bunch, they know if they can get two or three Aborigines in their team, they know there’s something special going to happen’ (2006). 

References

AFL Media release: Racial and Religious Vilification (2009), 31 May, AFL, afl.com.au

AFL Media release: Influence of Indigenous players (2002), 10 Feb,

< http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=2539>

‘The Glue that Brings us Together: combating racism in sport’, speech by Andrew Demetriou at the 5th Annual Human Rights Oration, 9 December 2005.

‘Rivals they may be, but these players are brothers in arms’ by Chloe Saltau in the Sun Herald, 25 June 2006.