McGuire reignites Goodes 'war cry' debate

Collingwood chief Eddie McGuire has reignited the debate over Adam Goodes’ so-called war cry dance by suggesting the AFL has long battled to eradicate demonstrative goal celebrations.

Goodes divided opinion on Friday night when he celebrated a goal in the Swans' win over Carlton by advancing on a pocket of Blues' supporters. The dual Brownlow medallist said the dance he performed in their direction was meant to be an expression of pride in his culture. And while Goodes yesterday received the backing of league boss Gillon McLachlan, McGuire has argued that the incident could have been better planned. "I don't like to see demonstrative celebrations after goals," McGuire said on Today. "The disappointment to me is that we had to have police, security guards and then somebody who was kicked out of the game as a result of people not knowing what was going on." Likening it to the debate over gay marriage, McGuire said people are often "frightened about what they don't know". "Had we known before the game that Adam or some of the indigenous players were going to do some sort of war cry, we could have been able to educate and understand the situation.

"This is a made-up dance, this is not something that's been going on for years."

AFL legend Leigh Matthews felt Goodes' actions unnecessarily incited the crowd.

"The only principle for me was, 'Do we want to encourage players to ... incite supporters by running to the fence and having a go at them?' Matthews said on Channel Seven.

"I don't think we want that in our game.

"It has nothing to do with this particular cause or celebration.

"I was uncomfortable, I think it's a bad principle, and I think that we've got to say (to) on-field performers, 'Whatever you do to each other, leave the crowd out of it'."

AFL CEO McLachlan, however, has no such concerns.

"We are a big enough game to accept and celebrate this type of expression," McLachlan said via Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"The indigenous round is a time to celebrate reconciliation and it's a time to reflect on the changes that still need to happen.

"Adam Goodes has my full support and the full support of the AFL."