Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Isaac Quaynor was repeatedly booed by sections of the Adelaide Crows crowd during Thursday night's AFL match against the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval. Former AFL player Mitch Brown has criticised Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks for not directly condemning the treatment of the defender.
The incident followed Izak Rankine's four-match suspension for directing a homophobic slur at Isaac Quaynor during Round 23 last season. The AFL, Adelaide Crows and AFL Players Association have since rejected the targeted booing.
More AFL coverage is available in Collingwood Storms Home Against Adelaide to Strengthen Finals Push.
Mitch Brown Calls for Stronger Leadership
Mitch Brown, who became the first current or former AFL player to come out as bisexual last year, said men in football must speak firmly against harmful behaviour.
"I was really disappointed in the response by Adelaide's coach by not just saying this is completely out of order and [not] seeing the players and coach actually stand up and say we don't want to see this [booing] as part of our game and completely reject that any player should be targeted after they were the victim of abuse."
Matthew Nicks said football involved passion but admitted events at Adelaide Oval had not unfolded well.
"The game's a passionate game, and sometimes we lose our way in that a little."
Adelaide Crows Condemn Crowd Behaviour
Adelaide Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said most supporters represented the club well, but some went too far.
"However, the behaviour of some crossed the line last night. Put simply, it was inappropriate and not good enough."
AFL Players Association chief executive James Gallagher said the repeated targeting was unacceptable and could harm Isaac Quaynor and others across the football community.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also said the booing should not have happened and fell below the standards expected from supporters.
Official competition news is available through the AFL website.