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Longmire's Regret: Failed to Protect Adam Goodes
5 Aug
Summary
- Former coach regrets not supporting Adam Goodes during booing.
- He wishes he had threatened to pull players off the field.
- Goodes faced 'diabolical, almost unforgivable' treatment.
John Longmire, former coach of the Sydney Swans, has revealed his profound regret regarding the treatment of Adam Goodes in the latter stages of his career. Longmire described the situation as "diabolical, almost unforgivable," expressing a wish that more had been done to support the two-time Brownlow medallist.
In his autobiography, Longmire stated that in hindsight, he should have threatened to remove his players from the field if the booing directed at Goodes persisted. This extreme measure, he believes, might have forced the football industry and wider community to confront the severity of the player's experience.
Goodes faced intense booing from opposition fans after calling out racist remarks in 2013. The situation escalated, particularly after comments made by then-Collingwood president Eddie McGuire. Longmire noted that the field, once Goodes' comfort zone, became a source of discomfort.
The Australian Football League eventually issued an unreserved apology four years after Goodes' retirement in 2015. Longmire's autobiography, titled "Pain, Perspective & Premierships," delves into these experiences and his tenure coaching the Swans.
