Goad : To provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction

AFL sporting hero, two time Brownlow medalist and 2014 Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes has been widely condemned by football spectators for a couple of on field incidents most notably, a provocative war dance in front of the opposition cheer squad. Moreover, he has ignited again the destructive, regressive racism issue that we somehow just can’t get past.

Adam is a true champion however, his actions have unintentionally been divisive by highlighting the differences between us instead of the similarities we all share. Being human.

And on that score, Adam should stop Goading the public into a response. Play the game and leave the point scoring to the Umpires.

So where to from here for public relations at team Adam Goodes?

My advice to Adam is simple. Apologise. I know what some of you may be thinking. And you’re right, he shouldn’t have to but this isn’t an apology about skin colour. It’s an apology for an action as a man before other men and women. 

Get a press conference organised now and apologise for the war dance. Try to make it a light hearted affair pointing out the irony of the apology made by Kevin Rudd in 2007. Obviously, the magnitude and significance cannot be compared but if Adam wants to win back public support this is what he needs to do.

State your case, be proud of your heritage and speak to the reasons why you did it but acknowledge it was provocative and that in hindsight you would have chosen another course of action.

And you will be remembered for the right reasons and the AFL can be left to tackle the next big ticket issue staring them down. Homophobia.

aP