Collingwood coach Craig McRae has hit out at the actions of Adelaide fans who booed Isaac Quaynor during Thursday night’s come-from-behind AFL victory. The Pies overturned a 27-point second-quarter deficit to storm home in a 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) triumph at Adelaide Oval.
Nick Daicos (39 disposals, one goal) starred as the resurgent Magpies notched a sixth-straight win to climb to seventh on the ladder. Adelaide great Taylor Walker also kicked his 700th career goal in an incredible milestone moment for the fifth-placed Crows, but the clash was overshadowed by the ugly crowd actions towards Quaynor.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae (L) has expressed his disappointment at Adelaide fans who booed Isaac Quaynor (centre) during Thursday night’s win over the Crows. Pic: Getty
The Collingwood star was the target of a homophobic slur from Adelaide’s Izak Rankine last year that saw the Crows lynchpin banned for four games ahead of the finals. Quaynor was then booed by Adelaide fans when the two sides met in last year’s qualifying final, sparking uproar around the AFL world.
And the issue reared its ugly head again on Thursday night, despite Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks urging fans not to target the Pies star before the game. Regardless, sections of Crows supporters decided to boo Quaynor’s every touch during the Pies’ 34-point win in scenes many viewers described as “abhorrent” and disgraceful”.
Collingwood coach hits out at booing of Isaac Quaynor
Speaking after the game, Collingwood coach McRae couldn’t hide his surprise and dismay at the actions of some Adelaide fans. “It’s a fascinating narrative around why they would boo him,” McRae said after his side’s superb comeback win.
“My understanding is he was a victim of a homophobic slur – and he’s getting booed for that. It’s a fascinating world we live in.” McRae said he sought out Rankine after the game to show his “respect” and appreciation for how the Adelaide star handled last year’s ban.
Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor was booed by sections of Adelaide fans whenever he touched the footy in Thursday night’s win. Pic: Getty
And while he appreciated that fans had a right to express themselves during games, he suggested Crows fans had crossed a line with the continual booing of his player. “People pay their money and they do what they like when they come to a game,” McRae added. “(But) I teach my children that we don’t boo. We show respect to all people.”
Adelaide counterpart Nicks also shared his disappointment with the actions of fans in his post-game media conference. “I mentioned it during the week about why we play footy, why people come to the footy,” Nicks said. “It’s about entertainment, it’s about enjoyment, passion. The game is a passionate game and sometimes we lose our way in that a little. It’s not ideal, the way it played out tonight.”
with AAP