NO TROLLS Aboriginal names for AFL clubs

[SC_Power]

How does it even work.

I’ve not looked into it but presumably no current geographic areas (eg, Melbourne or Essendon) corresponded with any Aboriginal geographic areas. Maybe only very roughly.

Just silly.

Think of it this way.

There was a time when there were regional zones allocated to VFL SANFL WAFL etc clubs.
Why couldn't the same be applied to Indigenous geographic areas? It would be linking the past with the present.

Would just need a bit of thinking through, but not a roadblock by any means.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

I’m not sure about other capital cities, however Perth has quite a few suburbs and areas with their traditional names with little to no anglicisation. So on that level it’s not really something I see as problematic.

We have suburb names that are common place here that no one bats an eyelid at when having to name them, so it isn’t that hard to imagine. It’s when they might change that the boomers and bigots get uppity about it.

 

[Chief]

I’ve not looked into it but presumably

The solid ground on which we should all base our opinions!

Just silly.

Yes.

 

[Dazb86]

I didn't mind Maribyrnong last year. It does seem tokenistic though.

 

[Kram]

I’m not sure about other capital cities, however Perth has quite a few suburbs and areas with their traditional names with little to no anglicisation. So on that level it’s not really something I see as problematic.

We have suburb names that are common place here that no one bats an eyelid at when having to name them, so it isn’t that hard to imagine. It’s when they might change that the boomers and bigots get uppity about it.

A fair % of regional WA has traditional names, that's why most of the wheatbelt towns end with "in" and lots of south west places end in "up".

 

[Reg Grundy35]

Wow surprised at the number of no votes in the poll.

are you really?

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Not a fan but I'm a traditionalist.

If you’re a traditionalist you’d be okay with the traditional names then, right?

Plus another poster pointed out Geelong is an anglicised naming of Djilang anyway so you should have no problems.

 

[Tiger2709]

I think the AFL is well and truly at the forefront of virtue signalling on every subject imaginable.

Any more and they will be replacing footballs with boomerangs and commissioning Yothu Yindi to remake all the club songs.

Its cheaper than actually doing something meaningful

 

[kreuze_missile]

Its cheaper than actually doing something meaningful

You don’t know that to be true.

What if Uncle Colin’s appearance fee is the same as Robbie Williams?

 

[Mitchell Madness]

And a bit of a laugh about virtue signalling.
I have a friend who considers herself an ally (not woke though, just does the bare minimum to avoid fights)

She got nominated for the c7 young achiever awards. She used her local aboriginal name as place of birth, and c7 ran with her profile as being indigenous....

 

[Tiger2709]

You don’t know that to be true.

What if Uncle Colin’s appearance fee is the same as Robbie Williams?

I'm just guessing but I do know the AFL.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Even then, naarm didn't exist, it was warranjiri

I'm pretty sure Port Phillip Bay did exist back then, actually. Narrm was the name for it.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I really like it but every club should do it, it's weird how half do it half don't

I'm not sold on the idea yet, but could be convinced. As another poster said, it's weird having a mix of Aboriginal and standard club names. Do it all or none.

But then wouldn't people complain that it's too much change in one go and they don't understand who is who? I do wonder if the AFL are intentionally drip-feeding the name changes year by year to reduce the objections by slowly getting people used to the idea.

I do agree that all clubs should do it in one go though. The world doesn't have to pander to people who are uncomfortable with change. I hope the remainder of clubs do it by next year.

 

[burge13]

But then wouldn't people complain that it's too much change in one go and they don't understand who is who? I do wonder if the AFL are intentionally drip-feeding the name changes year by year to reduce the objections by slowly getting people used to the idea.

I do agree that all clubs should do it in one go though. The world doesn't have to pander to people who are uncomfortable with change. I hope the remainder of clubs do it by next year.

By pandering to 3% of the population? Interesting

 

[Chief]

By pandering to 3% of the population? Interesting

You really do say some gross things at times burge.

 

[burge13]

You really do say some gross things at times burge.

Nothing gross about it whatsoever

 

[T2B_]

Don't have an issue with it, but I must admit if my club had one and it was something god awful like St Kilda's (Euro-Yroke) I'd probably feel differently haha.

Okay, that's probably not fair on whatever the original meaning is etc, but its an odd looking word that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, albeit that's subjective.

 

[Chief]

Nothing gross about it whatsoever

Sad that you think that.

 

[phantom13]

I stand to be corrected but the Saints name this round (Euro-Yroke) wasnt an area as such but an Indigenous translation of the current name.

Its probably an option for other clubs that dont have a defined area.

 

[Pistol Night]

You don’t know that to be true.

What if Uncle Colin’s appearance fee is the same as Robbie Williams?

Well Robin Williams is dead so Uncle Colin must be free. No issue

 

[kickazz]

It annoying at first this time of year when you are looking at fixtures months ahead and can't figure out who you are playing.

But overall it is a good initiative I think, we'll all come to learn them and it adds something to the vibe of Sir Doug Nicholls round.

I do wonder what happens though for example with some suburban teams that are close together - do those suburbs have different indigenous identities? If not, I guess having a name based on the mascot (something else we associate with the area/team) could work just as well.

 

[Consolaçao]

I don’t mind it.. its a respectful nod to our pre-1788 history. Geographical accuracy surely beside the point?

 

[parano1a]

I'm not against it, but there should be an option to switch off the names when viewing the fixture and ladder on the AFL website/app.

 

[Consolaçao]

I think the AFL is well and truly at the forefront of virtue signalling on every subject imaginable.

Any more and they will be replacing footballs with boomerangs and commissioning Yothu Yindi to remake all the club songs.

Like a lot of other institutions in Australia, the AFL are having a hard time determining what is an appropriate and reasonable level of recognition.
The reality today is that to choose not to align your’s with the most progressive view is to be considered reactionary or racist.
If the proposal were made to (say) change Melbourne’s name to Narrm for the whole of 2025 in memory some or other anniversary, i have no doubt the entire progressive class would be wholeheartedly supportive, with those opposing branded as regressive, racist, etc.
In the current climate, it’s not teally possible to ask ‘is this too much?’ without being accused of being something. It’s Interesting to ponder how we got here and what the end point is.
I see it in my youngest kid’s Kindy. Literally every painting brought home is ATSI/ Kaurna related. It’s friggin’ weird.
I see it in my workplace. The spectacle of non-indigenous people engaged in something like a religious prayer circle at the beginning of each meeting. Again, profoundly strange.
And the endless stream of platitudes, posturing and empty gestures which (in my view) achieve nothing for ATSIs.

 

[Chief]

And yet here you are, asking if this is too much.