Tim Rogers' Wonderfully Passionate & Articulate Response To Attacks On Adam Goodes

"...When the discussion and opinions around Adam started up and there was the inference that it was racially based. To continue to boo, or start it up in "deference" to political correctness… well, my little tiny opinion is that you're a fucking idiot," Rogers said. 

 

"No, it is NOT the same as booing other players or that Adam's sublime playing style douses him as a 'flog'. By participating in the derision of a player who has spoken about years of verbal abuse based on his culture… well, I bloody well believe him.

 

"I've had things shouted at me for years about my voice, my ponciness, my face, but nothing that digs up heritage, history, culture. So how the HELL could I pass comment on what Adam's derision made he and his family feel? When he said it cut deep, I believe him. And want to learn. And stay the frig away from social media because that shit is toxic."

 

As a passionate AFL fan his whole life, Rogers recalled watching Goodes when he first competed in the sport. 

"Following my Dad around when he was an umpire in the Goldfields Leagues I also became aware, violently, that being a spectator at a sporting occasion can extract the most vitriolic and ugly sides of folk," Rogers explained.

"I've watched Adam play since he first started, and my only reticence to unlock a tirade of love to the man was that he played for Sydney and not North Melbourne. His grace and sleek power was akin to my favourite ever sportspeople. A mix of almost balletic poise and perpetual forward motion (forgive me I'm no journalist). His extraordinary gait whilst surging forward appeared at times mocking to an opposition supporter. Making a twenty yard power run in the forward flank appear effortless. His style brought out in me, as an opposition supporter, a rare mix of dread, anticipation, and awe. His celebration of goal in the game vs Carlton was one of the times I felt that footy has not lost its way in the 'big game'. It was beauty, rage, culture, history and future.

"The booing stuff? I've never booed anyone in my life. Sport offers opportunities for banter of a kind I've never experienced elsewhere. Following sports around the world and being in crowds, Australian football is an opportunity to be amongst folks from every socio-economic-cultural blah blah. I've heard greater comedy and bathos in footy crowds than any gig at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Booing? It's dull, mindless, and ordinary. And I sat through a 100 games of Wayne Carey's career… I'm familiar with the sound."

Many fans who did boo Goodes during the back end of the 2015 season claim they did so simply because he played on a rival team and that it wasn't a racial action. However, Rogers believes those who continued to boo after Goodes publicly expressed he was hurt are enabling the problem. 

"Willfully stirring a pot with no recognition of the recipe is hopelessly ignorant," he said. 

"Again, as a middle class convict whose history is mercifully free of oppression, conflict, widespread massacre, abandonment and displacement, what the bloody hell would I know. So when Adam — or others of far higher intelligence and candour than me — declare a belief, I'm gonna listen, and think, and then keep listening."

"As we're despairing, let's remember that Adam will forever be remembered, and is regarded, as one of the few mesmerizing players of our time, and a thoughtful, emotive, passionate, intelligent dignified man. Folks expressing hatred behind the muslin cloth of social media bullshit will dry up and whither like pimples on a bum. Cowards."

Rogers went on to call out those who sent a tirade of abuse online. 

"'Comments' are reactions. I trust the word spoken as I trust the flame from wood burning. There are those who sit near the fire and complain of its heat, others warm in it. But while those come and go, the fire ebbs in its own time. The Australia I know is of Barry Humphries, Uncle Jack Charles, Sidney Nolan, Ray Ahn, Percy Grainger, Jim Krackouer, Richard Flanagan, Waleed Aly, Trevor Jamieson, Wayne Schimmelbusch, Helen Razer, Chrissie Amphlett, Emma Donovan, Rennie Ellis, Marieke Hardy and Breaker Morant. And a long bar tab of other heroes of mine. Comments on social media? Cowardly."

When asked what it meant for Rogers to stand alongside Goodes as a DJ ambassador he quipped, "I didn't think I was an ambassador, I was asked to model." He added, "And as it had nothing to do with my music, I'm very happy to get work and contribute to my family.

"However, if I am an ambassador, I would take that badge off and stand beside Adam as a man, as a person. I am not fit to tie his bootlaces (until he joins North and I resume as their strapper...) but I have a recurring dream of having a kick-to-kick with him. At this particular time in this absurd life, the truth is I only said yes to doing the ad when they said Adam was in it. I knew then I was safe. He's that kinda' man."