'Absolute embarrassment': AFL star sparks celebration controversy
Port Adelaide young gun Xavier Duursma has caused a stir after performing a premeditated goal celebration while his side were losing.
Duursma whipped out the bow-and-arrow celebration after kicking a goal against Richmond on Saturday, sending an imaginary arrow into the crowd.
SHOOT THAT POISON ARROW TO MY HEART! 🏹#AFLTigersPower pic.twitter.com/j3dbsis2dS
— AFL (@AFL) July 20, 2019
The celebration itself was widely praised, however the timing of it wasn’t.
Duursma’s goal made the score 59-43 to the Tigers, meaning Port were still trailing by three goals.
“Good on him, celebrate!” AFL great Brad Johnson said in commentary on Fox Footy.
“Some people want to take the celebration out of the game but we sort of go, well, if you’re down in the game, there’s a time maybe for the bow and arrow to come out.
“I’m not sure that’s the exact time.”
Richmond fans booed Duursma as the replay was played on the big screen, and a number took to social media to slam him as well.
What an absolute embarrassment that is to The club and to Duursma. Pretty much sums up Port Power though. #AFLTigersPort @PAFC https://t.co/EsIeF1w0cy
— Scott Gumbleton (@scottgumbleton) July 20, 2019
What on earth was that from Xavier Duursma?! Pulled out the bow & arrow goal celebration. Scoreboard replay roundly booed lol #afltigerspower
— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) July 20, 2019
Duursma better hope he finishes with 5 and Port win by plenty 🏹🏹
— Natalie Yoannidis (@NatYoannidisFOX) July 20, 2019
Duursma did his silly bow and arrow and Richmond kick the next 2 and come to life
— Nathan G (@fireballmudflap) July 20, 2019
Dangerfield: "I'm the biggest FIGJAM in the AFL"
Duursma: "Hold my beer"— Matt (@mjamon7) July 20, 2019
Not sure but definitely not when the teams 3-4 goals down
— Lee Matthews (@leeroybrown1982) July 20, 2019
That Duursma celebration got the incredulous response it deserved. #AFLTigersPower
— Matt Trollope (@MattyAT) July 20, 2019
@kanecornes thoughts on the Duursma bow and arrow celebration? #Arrogant
— gregg popovich (@KevinDubicki) July 20, 2019
However there were plenty who loved it all the same.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley later said he would speak to his young charger about when it’s appropriate to celebrate.
Ken Hinkley says he will have a word to Xavier Duursma about when to celebrate with his bow and arrow. Stressed that Duursma is a humble kid but hinted that there is a time and place.
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) July 20, 2019
Tigers surge to fourth-straight win
Richmond are coming for the AFL's top four and Port Adelaide's finals hopes hang in the balance after the Tigers cruised to a 38-point win at the MCG.
Saturday's 15.11 (101) to 9.9 (63) victory extends the Tigers' winning streak to four games and lifts them to outright fifth on the ladder.
The Tigers led throughout and were never seriously troubled by a Port side that sorely missed injured co-captain Ollie Wines.
At a time when the whips are cracking for the finals contenders, everything looks to be coming together for the 2017 premiers.
Dustin Martin and Dion Prestia (30 disposals and a goal each) starred in the midfield, Tom Lynch (three majors) was again among the Tigers' best and Dylan Grimes (eight marks) anchored a superb backline performance.
Lynch, who underwent knee surgery during the off-season, has built slowly in his first season for the Tigers but now has 12 goals from his past four games.
with AAP
