Former Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith has hit out at fans for booing Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans when he was presented with the Clive Churchill medal after the NRL grand final.
Smith, who coached new premiers the Roosters in their previous grand final in 2010, said the crowd's reaction was disrespectful and demeaning to Cherry-Evans - just the third player from the losing team to be handed the man-of-the-match honour in 27 years.
"Booing the referees is always childish but booing the best player of the match as he receives his award on centre stage is downright disrespectful and very bad form," Smith wrote on his blog on Monday.
"Not only is it demeaning to the player but also to those who made the selection and of the game's history and standing in the broader community.
"A worldwide audience has taken that away with them as the way we treat our most outstanding performer on the biggest day of the season."
Smith applauded a dignified Cherry-Evans for the way he dealt with the "distasteful" booing, adding that he was a worthy winner.
The diminutive No.7 made two crucial line breaks shortly after halftime to shift the momentum of the game and give the Sea Eagles a 10-point advantage.
In the end, the Roosters proved too good to win the match 26-18.
"Obviously a very bittersweet moment. I'd definitely swap that for a premiership ring," admitted a surprised Cherry-Evans.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8734932
Smith, who coached new premiers the Roosters in their previous grand final in 2010, said the crowd's reaction was disrespectful and demeaning to Cherry-Evans - just the third player from the losing team to be handed the man-of-the-match honour in 27 years.
"Booing the referees is always childish but booing the best player of the match as he receives his award on centre stage is downright disrespectful and very bad form," Smith wrote on his blog on Monday.
"Not only is it demeaning to the player but also to those who made the selection and of the game's history and standing in the broader community.
"A worldwide audience has taken that away with them as the way we treat our most outstanding performer on the biggest day of the season."
Smith applauded a dignified Cherry-Evans for the way he dealt with the "distasteful" booing, adding that he was a worthy winner.
The diminutive No.7 made two crucial line breaks shortly after halftime to shift the momentum of the game and give the Sea Eagles a 10-point advantage.
In the end, the Roosters proved too good to win the match 26-18.
"Obviously a very bittersweet moment. I'd definitely swap that for a premiership ring," admitted a surprised Cherry-Evans.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8734932
Comment