List Mgmt. Welcome Malakai Champion (2024 Category B Rookie)
- Thread starter Bleedblueandgold
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Sep 8, 2011
- 11,462
- 11,925
- AFL Club
- West Coast
But of casual racism asking that question.
I think that's going a bit far
I'd like to think that the journo had that question in the chamber but wasn't planning on using it until she saw how well he communicated. Or perhaps she already knew because he's local and been around.
In any case, if she hadn't asked it, we wouldn't have had the opportunity to be impressed by his response. He gave a nice little bit of insight from a young player's perspective.
He needs time but has a level head on his shoulders and is an AFL talent. Has surprising depth on his kicking considering his size. With what he's been through he should be really proud just to have made an AFL list. His speed, agility and ability to be in the right place at the right time are all elite. Provides good pressure as well before he runs out of gas.
If he can keep his focus in the dumpster fire that is the Beagles then his main focus needs to be on staying in games for a more extended period, adding some size and significantly increasing his fitness. In a perfect world he would be playing WAFL reserves at the start of next year for fitness and confidence and building from there. FP at the beagles won't be doing him any favours.
If he can keep his focus in the dumpster fire that is the Beagles then his main focus needs to be on staying in games for a more extended period, adding some size and significantly increasing his fitness. In a perfect world he would be playing WAFL reserves at the start of next year for fitness and confidence and building from there. FP at the beagles won't be doing him any favours.
How is asking that question racist in any way?
And I will say the kid did a great job answering it. Made good points about access and support especially for those who live remote.
Access to development and games was severely restricted in those covid years especially. So that maybe is one factor in the drop off in numbers recently.
Probably in the way that each of our other draftees weren't asked the question.
It's not racist.
Asking a kid, who just did an interview on the difficulties he faced as a junior, about the struggles on making the AFL for other indigenous kids isn't racist.
Strange question to ask a draftee though.
They weren't asked because they arent indigenous and the issue raised was concerning indigenous participation and why it seems to be falling.
Is it racist to ask an Irish player as to why we have a decline in Irish recruits?
If you asked a non Irish player they would shrug and likely say "I don't know know....I'm not Irish."
Even the last player picked up in the draft has surprised me to no end.
Speaks so well, as though he has been doing this for years.
DAMN, we did well this draft. If these kid's play as well as they interview look out.
Speaks so well, as though he has been doing this for years.
DAMN, we did well this draft. If these kid's play as well as they interview look out.
Not really. He is coming to us through a pathway specifically designed to get more indigenous kids in the system. I thought it was a pertinent question.
Well answered too. He was very relaxed in front of the mike.
The journo's are asking kids questions for the first time, knowing barely anything about them. Of course you'd ask questions about what you can based on what you know. Grego gets questions about Rugby League, Champion gets questions about indigenous participation rates. There's nothing sinister to it, they are just trying to get some content
- Sep 8, 2011
- 11,462
- 11,925
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Did we ask any other WA draftees about the state of the WAFL Colts and how to improve pathways for WA talent?
I think calling it racism is slightly misleading.
It’s more about that idea of placing the burden of solving a problem onto those impacted - kinda similar to expecting any random Muslim to explain radical extremism or asking women what can be done to prevent sexual violence.
It was a weird question to ask a kid in his first presser, but I think the fact he answered it so well means it’s benign enough to not derail the thread.
- Sep 8, 2011
- 11,462
- 11,925
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Malakai to hopefully kick more goals in the thirty seven than the last guy!
(Why can’t we type numbers without emojis and brackets coming up)
(Why can’t we type numbers without emojis and brackets coming up)
With "the question" yes it was a bit weird and somewhat confronting to ask a kid in one of his first pressers but the way he handled it and actually gave some valid points in answering the question showed there was some validity in the question after all.
He has grown up with a lot of these kids and and would have good insight. He had a good family who somewhat made sacrifices for him to pursue football and had opportunities many others don't. There is no doubt there are many indigenous kids out there that would make elite footballers but will never ever get the chance or help required to do so.
In saying that I played with some absolute jets in my junior days but as soon as 17-18 hit so did alcohol, drugs and girls so bye bye football. They weren't indigenous either and I am sure we all know a few in that boat.
He has grown up with a lot of these kids and and would have good insight. He had a good family who somewhat made sacrifices for him to pursue football and had opportunities many others don't. There is no doubt there are many indigenous kids out there that would make elite footballers but will never ever get the chance or help required to do so.
In saying that I played with some absolute jets in my junior days but as soon as 17-18 hit so did alcohol, drugs and girls so bye bye football. They weren't indigenous either and I am sure we all know a few in that boat.
- Jul 28, 2018
- 1,440
- 4,921
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Nope, but add it to the list for the next round of interviews. Hamish Davis will say it’s fine after just winning a Colts flag and getting picked up in his home state
Depends how the question is framed.
Simon Whitlock
Rookie
- Aug 11, 2013
- 33
- 72
- AFL Club
- West Coast
Incredibly well spoken for his age. Seems mature well beyond his years.
No, but it'd be a ****ing weird question to ask a draftee.
Why is it weird asking someone who just got drafted about the development programs and participation in junior levels and draftees?
They just spent years going through those development programs and would be the exact person to answer questions and provide their thoughts regarding that and participation.
Champion made some really interesting and mature observations from his experience.
It's not racist(dunno why anyone would say that) but to a draftee, in his first ever interview, asking him such a question that has many nuanced and complicated factors probably isn't appropriate, especially when fans want to know more about the player himself, not why indigenous participation is declining at junior level.
Kid handled himself well though.
