Georgie Parker: Ange Postecoglou cut from different cloth and should be a beacon for Aussie coaches

We’ve had some ugly coaching moments connected with Australia in the last couple of months.

The big ones that come to mind are former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and his inability to tell the truth, North Melbourne’s Alistair Clarkson in a verbal stoush with Webster resulting in his fourth fine over his career and Melbourne’s Simon Goodwin being too “angry” to speak with his player who is in trouble with an ASADA finding, rather than looking out for his wellbeing.

It’s a high risk, high stress job and obviously one where emotions can be hard to control. In sport in general, arrogance — often masked as confidence — seems to win and empathy and kindness are rare.

It’s why when you hear coaches speak differently, or their actions spark change within what can easily become a toxic environment, your ears prick up and you listen to every word they say.

Craig McCrae has been an example of that with his fresh change in the AFL world, and on a much bigger scale there is Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou is cut from a different cloth, it seems. His ability to genuinely put himself in the shoes of either his players, oppositions or, potentially the most important stakeholder of the lot, the fans, is second to none.

His most recent comments on “plastic fans” need to be applauded with what was the most real and empathic I’ve seen of a leader of a team in some time.

You could tell this was from a man who has experienced questions on his dedication, love and passion for football while being from Australia, which is obviously considered to be such a small fish when it comes to the world game.

The term plastic fans, or what I like to call “fair weather fans” refers to individuals who are perceived as superficial or insincere in their support for a team.

They often jump on the bandwagon of successful clubs without what some could consider a genuine connection or understanding of the team/sport’s ethos.

Postecoglou’s remarks on this matter were poignant, urging a reevaluation of what it means to be a true fan, and to not question anyone’s level of fandom in general.

What does make you a true fan is a question that I don’t think has a real answer.

What being a real fan means to you is completely different to the person next to you, and his answer emphasised that sports should be embraced by all, irrespective of how individuals choose to engage with it.

Whether one follows a team passionately from childhood, supports a club due to familial ties, or merely enjoys watching the game occasionally, their involvement contributes to the vibrancy and diversity of sports culture.

Ultimately, Postecoglou’s message was one of inclusivity, advocating for a broader acceptance of fan experiences.

In a world where sports fandom is often characterised by tribalism and division, it’s a timely reminder that ultimately, we are all united by the love for the game.

Whether we support a team passionately or casually, whether we watch every match or only catch the highlights, a shared enthusiasm for the sport should transcend allegiance to a team.

Tribalism brings passion, but it brings that division, and that black or white, right or wrong mentality is old and boring.

It’s that saying “sport is the most important, unimportant thing in the world.”

Sport should encompass a spectrum of emotions, memories and personal connections that you, as an individual, forge with the game over time.

When that love of the game starts, how that love for the game started and how often you watch that game you love live isn’t important.