Sport is better for theatre, unequivocally. That is not my contention, and I have no interest in seeing my beloved code become bereft of character or cheek, but ethically, I believe there is still room for respect, even in the heat of elite competition.
As such, I winced at the footage of Fremantle's upstart key forward Patrick Voss' 'crybaby' gesture at his direct opponent, Melbourne's Harrison Petty, yesterday.
In the throes of one of the AFL's more underrated, but truly spiteful modern rivalries, Brisbane Lions' serial pest Dayne Zorko is understood to have referenced Petty's mother in a clash between the Lions and Demons in 2022. Petty was left visibly upset after the altercation, and a media firestorm erupted in the aftermath.
Two seasons later, emerging Lions' hardnut Noah Answerth hit Petty with the same gesture Voss wheeled out yesterday.
All three of these incidents were avoidable, unnecessary, without tact, and needlessly nasty.
Patrick Voss has built quite the name for himself in a relatively short tenure in Cockburn. "The Prancing Pony" has quickly received cult status for his bullocking style of play, his infectious enthusiasm and old school, marks-it-on-the-lead forward craft. He broke out last season, memorably kicking six on Darcy Moore when the Dockers held off the Pies at the MCG.
I was there that day. I was enamoured with the way he went about it. There was a joy in it, perceptible from the cheapest of seats. A kid living out his dream - one that was so nearly ripped from him when Essendon delisted him.
But there was a distinct lack of humility to yesterday's proceedings. That's his prerogative, sure, but I think there's a real risk he's gotten too big for his admittedly big football boots. I'd hazard a guess he's been pulled aside and asked to remember where it is he's come from today, in an effort to re-instill a gratitude that would stymie the attitude that saw yesterday's ugly scene play out.
A hunger for the spotlight goes hand in hand with the rockstar nature of the key forward position, but this nature and class are hardly mutually exclusive.
Elite sport, especially one so generationally woven into the tapestry of a nation's culture, like Australian rules football is, has a responsibility to its people.
In this case, Australia's people are gripped by a mental health crisis that has been perpetuated and maintained by antiquated attitudes about the way one expresses their emotions.
Whether they like it or not, AFL players bear the cross of influence. Their actions shape conversations as much as their play does. It is a damning indictment on this code's members that once again, they have shown they cannot be trusted to treat each other with basic respect; to compete fiercely without crossing a personal line.
I have long been against the introduction of a taunting rule. It has not had the desired effect in the NFL, but even then, it is often used to punish unsportsmanlike celebrations of football acts.
In moments like this, however, I'm inclined to side with those calling for its introduction.
I love the likes of Jack Ginnivan and his choreographed goal celebrations. When Izak Rankine turned to the adoring faithful at Adelaide Oval on Friday night and interacted with them after his wondrous strike, I was chuffed for him. When statesman Scott Pendlebury honours his children by performing their requests, it makes for heartwarming viewing.
But this was not a celebration of a footballing act, like the scoring of a goal. This was a tacky, off the ball reference to a moment of personal grief for Petty.
There's just no place for it.
There's long been calls for players to be humanised; to show fans and media some personality. To not speak in cliches, and offer genuine insight to who they are and what they think. But you can't have your cake and eat it too. Humanising players so that they feel free to let their hair down and celebrate means also embracing their flaws and supporting them when it's pertinent. In Petty's case, it is.
If we can't agree that those playing the game we love are deserving of better treatment than what was afforded to Harrison Petty yesterday, I think that's a pretty sad state of affairs.
