The Sydney Swans have been pulled up on a “jarring omission” from their tribute to the heroes and victims of the Bondi Beach tragedy last Thursday.
While it largely went unnoticed by many on the night (and indeed was widely praised), it has now emerged that new Sydney chief executive Matthew Pavlich’s speech was edited before he addressed the SCG crowd ahead of the Swans-Carlton clash.
Swans great and radio commentator Gerard Healy has revealed that the word “Jew” or reference to the “Jewish” community was not uttered when Pavlich spoke.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
Healy had initially praised the Swans for taking the initiative to recognise the tragedy while also calling out the AFL for its silence on the issue.
But now Healy says there has been a serious “error of judgement” by Sydney and a lot of people in the Jewish community are “upset”.
“They’re a bit messy at the moment, I’ve got to say, for something that was so fundamentally magnificent last week to start the footy season, and it was a simple error of … judgement,” Healy said on SEN on Thursday (last night).
“There’s been a lot of conspiracy theories, put it that way, which I don’t think are going to hold ground.
“Everyone was honoured on the night, the victims, the survivors, first responders and the heroic Ahmed Al Ahmed, everyone that is, except the Australian Jewish communities, who were also indirect victims, many of whom are still suffering, and we’re looking for specific validation.
“Now, I didn’t pick it up, but the reality was that the word Jew wasn’t mentioned at all on the night … and it’s upset a lot of Jewish people.
“I’ve spoken to (Sydney chair) Andrew Pridham about it (because) there’s been a lot of, “why did it happen?’ (It’s) because the script was changed.
“The script was changed. Initially, it had, we stand with the Jewish community and for whatever reason, and I think it was to just be more inclusive …”
Asked who changed it, Healy said he did not know.
“I don’t know the details. I don’t know the answers. I’ve asked a lot (of people) because I know it annoyed me.
“I’ve got to say I didn’t pick it up on the night. I was really proud of the club and what they did, but when I saw it, I thought … oh gee … that’s a jarring omission. That is a jarring omission.”
Pavlich’s speech on the night went as such ….
“On behalf of the Sydney football club and the wider AFL community we come to honour those who were injured and those who lost their lives at Bondi Beach in December,” he said.
“Tonight we stand with their families and friends united.
“We also acknowledge the many brave men and women who assisted on the day and in the days and weeks which followed.
“Tonight we are joined by representatives from our brave first responders.”
“Thank you for your outstanding contribution. To all in our community we stand with you.
“At the Sydney Swans respect is at the core of what we do. We want all to ensure that this is the experience they have of all the people who connect with our club and the great game of AFL.
“At the Sydney Swans, everyone is welcome.”
AFL boss Andrew Dillon was asked on Saturday morning if he was comfortable that there was “no reference to the Jewish community” at Sydney’s tribute.
“I will start by saying that the events of Bondi was an antisemitic attack on the Jewish community and completely at odds with Australia’s way of life and their values,” Dillon said on SEN.
“I think the tribute that was paid by the Sydney Swans in conjunction with the AFL, you wish you didn’t have to do it, but it was the first game of the season in front of 40,000 people at the SCG, in front of over a million people on television and streaming.
“It was the right forum for that, and it was to pay tribute to the members of the Jewish community who lost their lives, to pay tribute to their families who are suffering now, and the rest of the community that are suffering, and also the first responders.
“And I think that’s what’s important.”
Asked specifiaclly if was an “error” to redact the word Jew from the speech, Dillon said he did not know “exactly the ins and outs of the script”.
“But I think Matthew (Pavlich) did a great job of hosting that ceremony. And again, I think it was the appropriate forum, and it paid tribute to those victims (of) what was a horrific attack on the Jewish community.”
Pridham is also expected to address the issue (later today) ahead of Sydney’s SCG clash with Brisbane.
New AFL captain drops truth bomb on club in front of ex-chairman
3 min read
Brad Scott issues warning after belting: ‘Best of luck with that’
2 min read
