Indigenous magic isn't a gift - it comes with hard graf

**Reggi** · 19th May 2010, 07:36 AM

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/i...0518-vc6z.html

Interesting from Adam. Certainly I would expect Jetta will be better with a couple more hard pre-seasons under his bel

**satchmopugdog** · 19th May 2010, 08:58 AM

Great article Adam.....re-inforces what ROKlobster et.al. have been saying on this forum for years about the stereotyping of players.

LRT silky hair, Jetta silky skills.

**sharp9** · 19th May 2010, 09:06 AM

So 2 national stories pinched from me in one week! Not bad. Come on everyone slay me again for daring to suggest that there is no such thing as indigenous magic...they are just EXACTLY the same as everyone else. When Stevie J or Didak or Milne is brilliant it's 'cos they're glorious players and they train harder to perfect their miracle skills....when Neon Leon does it, or Bennell, or Jurrah or Goodes or Rioli or Motlop, it's indigenous magic and they were gifted it....just listen to the commentators EVERY time....

Can you imagine any New Zealand press or commentators saying that Benji Marshall's skills are in any way related to his race? They would be FIRED on the spot. I'm not kidding.

As they sing in the musical "Avenue Q"...."Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"

**sharp9** · 19th May 2010, 09:09 AM

In case you've forgotten I challenged those who were crying out for us to draft indigenous boys 'cos we lacked for pace and flair. I had the temerity to suggest that race was not a factor and that we should draft players with pace and flair.

Two words

Gary Rohan

**Big Al** · 19th May 2010, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by sharp9

In case you've forgotten I challenged those who were crying out for us to draft indigenous boys 'cos we lacked for pace and flair. I had the temerity to suggest that race was not a factor and that we should draft players with pace and flair.

Two words

Gary Rohan

But we all know Rangas ruin the team photo. What were the recruiters thinking...

**Big Al** · 19th May 2010, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by sharp9

Can you imagine any New Zealand press or commentators saying that Benji Marshall's skills are in any way related to his race? They would be FIRED on the spot. I'm not kidding.

As they sing in the musical "Avenue Q"...."Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"

After Sunday's effort you may to use another player.

For the record I'm not a racist, I discriminate against each race equally.

**dimelb** · 19th May 2010, 01:02 PM

Good article, thoughtful and measured. And certainly deals with the 'silky' racist stereotype. Then on reflection I thought Adam may have had another racist stereotype in his sights: the slack and work-shy indigenous. His own career is the best possible refutation and gives strong encouragement to any youngster.

**BSA5** · 19th May 2010, 01:37 PM

I don't think he's denying that there are some elements of the typical Indigenous physique, physiology, whatever that lend themselves to certain styles of play. What he has an issue with is that people tend to assume that this is all that indigenous players have, and all that is needed, in order to succeed, which is quite clearly not true. It's no secret that indigenous players TEND to play with more flair, and TEND to have more freakish skills. The problem is that people usually focus on that, and not the behind the scenes work that allows these players to demonstrate these skills at the highest level.

**mocaholic** · 19th May 2010, 02:05 PM

A freakin great article. More power to you Goodesy.

Now go out and flog those indigenous bros playing for Freo in the Hutton/Cook Cup.

**Margie** · 19th May 2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by satchmopugdog

LRT silky hair, Jetta silky skills.

Made me laugh Satch!

Excellent article from Goodsey.

**Matty10** · 19th May 2010, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by BSA5

I don't think he's denying that there are some elements of the typical Indigenous physique, physiology, whatever that lend themselves to certain styles of play. What he has an issue with is that people tend to assume that this is all that indigenous players have, and all that is needed, in order to succeed, which is quite clearly not true. It's no secret that indigenous players TEND to play with more flair, and TEND to have more freakish skills. The problem is that people usually focus on that, and not the behind the scenes work that allows these players to demonstrate these skills at the highest level.

I'd agree with most of that. Goodes is right, particularly in reference to players that have remained at AFL level well beyond any so-called 'magic' ability. You don't play 200 games without real determination. I would suggest Tony Shaw is one of the worst commentators for lumping Indigenous players together (he uses the term ?innate ability? a lot), as if there is something special about them just because they are indigenous born, regardless of commonalities displayed on the football field.

Nevertheless there are genetic traits that seem to lend themselves more readily to certain types of activities ? particular ?magic? football skills might be an example - which are found more commonly in Indigenous, rather than non-Indigenous Australians. That of course does not mean that all Indigenous players have those traits or that no non-Indigenous players do, but it does help explain why there is an over-representation of Indigenous Australians playing AFL football in relation to their general population. Recognition of Indigenous players? contribution to the game, as well as the cultural / historical implications that underpins that contribution, is important to highlight.

However, I would not lump a player like Goodes (who I always think of as an out-and-out Rolls Royce on the football field) in with a player like Jeff Farmer, or Byron Pickett for example, as their skills sets are not really that similar at all - regardless of what many commentators may say on air.

There is a fine line between recognition and the perpetuation of stereotypes (of all types) and Adam Goodes has done a good job of pointing that out in his article.