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'This is pathetic': AFL world in disbelief over 'disgusting' scenes

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Isaac Smith, pictured here being relentlessly booed by Hawthorn fans at the MCG.
Isaac Smith was relentlessly booed by Hawthorn fans at the MCG. Image: Fox Footy

Hawthorn fans have copped the wrath of the AFL world after relentlessly booing three-time premiership player Isaac Smith on Monday.

Smith was in action for Geelong against his former club Hawthorn in the traditional Easter Monday clash at the MCG.

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And despite having left the Hawks two years ago, fans clearly haven't forgiven Smith yet.

Despite helping the club win three premierships, Smith was relentlessly booed by Hawthorn fans all throughout Monday's game.

“There’s no surprise who’s got the ball,” Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge said in commentary for Channel 7 when Smith was first booed.

“Surely that’s tongue-in-cheek from the Hawthorn supporters."

Jason Bennett added: “(We) didn’t need to call Isaac Smith’s name."

While Geelong great Cameron Ling said: “Three flags gets you a few boos."

Viewers condemned the ugly scenes on social media, with some labelling it "disgusting" and "pathetic" behaviour from the Hawthorn fans.

Last week Smith opened up about his decision to leave Hawthorn for their arch rivals.

“Once you get into certain positions, once you have been in a leadership position at Hawthorn there aren’t too many places to go when you don’t hold them,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It was time for a change, time for the younger collective to come through and impact the footy club.

“How would it look if I didn’t leave and then the year after I would be done in football?

"Loyalty has been a great thing and a huge value of mine but the industry has changed.”

Isaac Smith, pictured here tangling with Jack Gunston in Geelong's clash with Hawthorn.
Isaac Smith tangles with Jack Gunston in Geelong's clash with Hawthorn. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) (AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawthorn get last laugh in upset over Geelong

Dylan Moore kicked four goals while Luke Breust produced a crucial late cameo, with the lead changing four times in the second half before the Hawks won 14.8 (92) to 11.14 (80).

Breust's snapped goal in the final few minutes gave Hawthorn breathing space.

The veteran forward then got front and centre of a marking contest in the centre square before finding an unguarded Mitch Lewis out the back to kick the sealer.

The upset improved the Hawks' record to 3-2, level with highly-fancied Geelong, and a spot in the top eight.

Hawthorn jumped out to a 23-point lead by quarter-time but lost ruckman Ned Reeves to a shoulder injury and looked gone when they were twice headed by the Cats during the third quarter.

Hawthorn fans, pictured here celebrating a goal against Geelong at the MCG.
Hawthorn fans celebrate a goal against Geelong at the MCG. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) (Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The thrilling contest delivered another Easter Monday classic befitting the storied modern rivalry between the two clubs.

"The boys hung in there and right now it's my favourite (win), but when the dust settles every win is valuable," Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said.

"There's a part of me that says it's four points and every game's the same but obviously Easter Monday is a big day for our club and we've had a great rivalry with them over the journey.

"Right now it feels a little bit sweeter but we're going to continue to have big battles against them and they're going to be a good side for a long time, as they've proven."

with AAP

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