Collingwood premiership defender Isaac Quaynor was the "victim" of booing once again from Adelaide fans on Thursday night, as they did in last year's qualifying final.
Quaynor and the Pies had the last laugh on Thursday night with a resounding 34-point victory in front of hostile fans.
The Collingwood Next Generation Academy graduate was the subject of a homophobic slur from Izak Rankine, which led the Crows star to be suspended, ultimately missing the finals series.
Quaynor was repeatedly booed by Adelaide supporters, which Pies coach Craig McRae was baffled by.
"I'm just not sure how the world works when someone's been, you know, is it vilified? Is that the right term?” McRae told Kayo Sports post-match.
“I'm on the bench early, and I love to protect our boys. I don't know what that looks like, but it was a really strange one for me.
“And he must have had the ball a lot early because he got booed a lot. And credit to him, we love our own, we'll get around him and support him. I'm just not sure how that works in the world we live in. It's a strange one.”
McRae reiterated his stance in his post-match press conference.
"I've got my little daughter in the room, and she's 10. She comes to the footy tonight, little Charlie and I teach her that we don't boo," he said.
"People pay their money and can do what they like when they come to the game, but I teach my children that we don't boo; we show respect to all people.
"It's a fascinating narrative as to why they would boo him.
"From my understanding, he was the victim of a homophobic slur, and he's getting booed for that? It's a fascinating world we live in.
"I'll just keep on educating the things we can control, and in my house, no booing."
McRae revealed he spoke to Rankine following the contest.
“I actually grabbed Izak Rankine after the game and said 'we've got great respect for you, young man'. People are allowed to make mistakes, they are, we're all human," McRae added.
“I've got great respect for him, he's a sensational player. I don't know him as a person but the way he stood up and overcome what was, and took it on the shoulders - there's something to be said about that.
“That's life, isn't it? Make a mistake, fix it, or get on with it and improve yourself."
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks acknowledged the booing wasn't "ideal".
“You look at that - I mentioned it during the week, about why we play footy, why people come to the footy; it's about entertainment, it's about enjoyment, passion,” Nicks said.
“The game is a passionate game, and sometimes we lose our way in that a little.
“And with the backdrop, and I guess the background leading into this game, it's not ideal the way it played out tonight.”
