The Adelaide Crows have found themselves under intense fire from AFL fans after issuing a surprise apology to the Sydney Swans following their dominant 15-goal victory. The backlash began soon after Crows star Wayne Milera shared his post-match reflections, describing the Swans as “a bit of a rabble” during their dismal performance at the SCG.
Milera’s remarks were made during a conversation with ABC Sport, where he calmly relayed what he observed on the field. “You could sort of feel it as a group … they were sort of a bit of a rabble, just hearing them on the ground,” he said. The 27-year-old defender didn’t launch a brutal attack, but rather offered a candid moment from a side that completely overwhelmed their opponent.
Despite the mild tone of his comments, reports soon emerged that Milera had offered an apology to the Swans, a move that left the footy community stunned. Nine’s Will Crouch reported that the Adelaide player felt compelled to reach out following the reaction to his post-game thoughts.
Fans were quick to ridicule the apology, branding it unnecessary and even “ridiculous”. Many took to social media to suggest that the only thing Milera should regret was not being more honest about how woeful Sydney’s performance truly was. The sentiment echoed the collective frustration of fans tired of public figures walking back harmless statements.
Adding further sting to the Swans’ humiliation, the 90-point defeat marked their heaviest loss at the SCG since 2000. For a team that appeared in the 2024 AFL Grand Final, such a collapse drew widespread attention, raising questions about the Swans’ direction this season.
The Adelaide Crows, in contrast, walked off the field with momentum and clarity. Their on-field domination spoke louder than any post-match remarks, and for many fans, Milera’s comment merely reflected the raw energy of a side in sync and confident in its strategy.
What has inflamed the fan base more than anything is the sense that athletes are being forced to sanitise honest emotions in fear of public backlash. “Why apologise for telling the truth?” one user posted, capturing the general feeling that such apologies dilute the genuine spirit of competition in the AFL.
Whether the Crows intended the apology to be diplomatic or simply courteous, the broader reaction has become a talking point in itself. The AFL landscape, fans argue, is richer when players speak freely and honestly about what they experience in real time.
For now, the Swans must regroup and address the shockingly poor performance that led to this fallout. Meanwhile, the Crows’ only regret may be saying sorry when they had nothing to apologise for.
