Footy and Free Thinking: AFL Crows Ruckman Reilly O’Brien on the Politicisation of the AFL
I recently spoke with Crows Ruckman Reilly O’Brien about Jordan Peterson, BLM, Welcome to Country, and the growing politicisation of the AFL.
Five years ago, many AFL players “took the knee” before the first televised AFL match of the pandemic period.
It’s not exactly clear whether the gesture was performed because of supposed injustices, or whether it was just the “done thing” at the time. Whatever the case, BLM is a foreign organisation which has at various times called for the dismantling of the traditional nuclear family and the defunding of the police!
I doubt that many viewers would have been thrilled about the gesture if these policies had been discussed more openly, yet it went ahead nonetheless.
More recently, an acknowledgement of country ceremony informed those in attendance at a match that indigenous Australians have been conducting such ceremonies for over 250,000 years “before Cook”!
Many sports fans have been routinely subjected to not-so-subtle political messaging for years. Most fans simply want to watch the game but are being bombarded with political ideologies for their trouble. If you are anything like me then you are sick and tired of it.
I recently spoke with Adelaide Crows lead ruckman Reilly O’Brien about life inside and outside the AFL on my podcast ‘BASED’.
Reilly O’Brien on Woke Sports
Reilly O’Brien is an AFL player who is currently the first-choice ruckman for the Adelaide Crows. He has played for the Crows since 2014.
As well as having a successful career in the AFL, O’Brien holds a medical science degree from Flinders University and a Master of Neuroscience from King’s College. In 2024, O’Brien received the Jim Stynes award for his advocacy work relating to mental health with South Australian school students.
On this episode of BASED, Senator Antic and Reilly O’Brien discuss life in the AFL, the impact of neuroscience on preventing concussions in football, Jordan Peterson, and more.
Watch our conversation here:
Reilly and I discussed a range of topics including the diversity of opinions in the AFL and his own sources of inspiration.
I think that you will find Reilly’s thoughts very interesting.
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What ! Aborigines claiming they have been performing ” Welcome to Country” for 250, 000 years”before Cook “, and we are expected to believe this NONSENSE ! IMPOSSIBLE !Sadly, many Australians will swallow that Lie as the standard of education in Australia is very poor, mostly Leftist indoctrination which starts in Childcare.Time for Liberal Party if it wins govt to defund schools + universities which teach this + other RUBBISH ! I had no idea that footballers were kneeling to Black Lives Matter. Time to end all this compulsory ideology in sport + everywhere else. I turn my back to “Welcome to Country ” even though my children have Aboriginal ancestry .
Fed up with historic statues being desecrated+ Aboriginal names substituted for places!Claiming Pt Panorama , the last straw !When is someone going to put an end to this nonsense ?