‘It’s their choice’: Quaynor breaks silence on ugly Crows boos as club gives one-line response

Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor says the booing he received from Adelaide Oval patrons during Thursday night’s four-goal qualifying final win over the Crows didn’t affect him.

Magpies players were met with a hostile environment in South Australia, returning there only weeks after their Round 23 loss to the Crows.

But it was boos sent specifically the way of Quaynor that crossed the line, with the 25-year-old believed to have been the subject of a homophobic slur from Crows star Izak Rankine in their last match-up.

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Speaking to reporters post-match, Quaynor opened up on what he described a tough timeline since Rankine’s slur.

“In patches definitely, it’s just a not an ideal situation to be in for anyone,” Quaynor said.

“The club did an incredible job dealing with it. All those leaders, ‘Fly’ (Craig McRae), Charlie Gardiner, they were absolutely incredible. I’m very lucky to be at this club.”

The hybrid defender played one of his best games of the season, finishing with 16 disposals, six marks and six intercept possessions, as well as 381 metres gained.

Evidently, the booing didn’t affect his output in the slightest.

“It is what it is. I’m just out there playing a game, trying to do what I do. It’s their choice to boo,” Quaynor continued.

“I heard it the first time, and then honestly from then on I get really fixated in the game and I honestly don’t even notice it.

“I always have an ear for the Collingwood chant, that’s the thing I hear the most.”

The likes of Nick Daicos, Brayden Maynard, Dan Houston and Mason Cox were also booed throughout the match, however Quaynor’s cold shoulder from the Adelaide Oval crowd sent a particularly poor message.

Magpies coach Craig McRae spoke to the jeers in his post-game press conference, labelling himself “disappointed” with the away crowd’s actions.

Rankine, who is currently serving a four-game suspension for the slur, is ironically now eligible for a potential Grand Final appearance after last night’s loss.

After leaving the country for a short period of time after the indiscretion, the livewire arrived back at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday night and issued what has been widely deemed a genuine apology.

Late on Thursday morning, Nine’s Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris posted a statement from the club regarding the crowd’s behaviour towards Quaynor.

“We want members and footy fans to be barracking and passionate however, they should do so respectfully and any behaviour contrary to that is disappointing and not appropriate,” the statement read.

ABC Sport’s and Fox Footy commentator Corbin Middlemas spoke on the issue on Thursday night, sympathising with members from the LGBTQ+ community.

“I felt for the members of the LGBT community that are Adelaide Crows fans. Imagine you’ve got someone sitting besides you, jeering the guy who received a homophobic slur. That’s his biggest crime ... it’s a shocking look for the game,” Middlemas told ABC.

Adelaide will play the loser of Saturday afternoon’s elimination final between GWS and Hawthorn, while Collingwood will enjoy a weekend off before their preliminary final.

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