The one about Sydney footy supporters being a bunch of haters

How one man can invoke such an open hatred is astounding.

Sitting at the SCG on Saturday night, shivering with my hot chips in one hand and coffee in the other, I was appalled by my fellow Sydney-siders and their treatment of a former ‘favourite son’. Bad sportsmanship was not just on show, it was openly celebrated.

Less than two seasons ago, Barry Hall was loved by the red and white. The man could do no wrong; he captained the side to its long-awaited 2005 grand final, finished the season as the leading goal kick eight times and tirelessly promoted the game in a League-dominated state. We all remember those Barry Hall ‘Hall’ TV ads.

But a couple of brain snaps and king hits later, he’s no longer welcomed. He was unceremoniously booted. His axing was clinical, executed to PR precision, and, disappointingly, Barry towed the line. He could’ve cracked the shits, gone to the media and refused to leave the club under the circumstances. Instead, he fronted an aggressive media pack, conceded he had ‘a problem’ and stepped down.

In the final round of 2009, Hall was honoured with one of the most emotional laps of honour to grace the SCG. At that in point in time I still thought he should have taken the ‘screw you’ mentality, but he was gracious. The fans couldn’t cheer enough.

Saturday night he was booed and jeered. The only time any level of appreciation was roused came when Hall slipped over. It’s got me thinking. His treatment is not unlike that of an employee, once heralded as the office favourite, who has hit a wall and resigned. Instead of claiming his boss a wanker and letting pride cloud his judgement, he smiles during the goodbye speeches, enduring stiff pleasantries as he is pushed out the door.

If leaving wasn’t Hall’s decision, and he acted with good grace and towed the Swans line in the face of public humiliation, why is he subject to such sheer hatred?