Crows captain addresses club's apology for ‘rabble' comment
Milera branded the Swans a 'bit of a rabble' after the Crows stormed to a 90-point win at the SCG on Saturday.
'You could sort of feel it as a group ... they were sort of a bit of a rabble, just hearing them on the ground,' Milera told the ABC.
The comment quickly spread like wildfire on social media with many fans praising the Crows defender for his honesty.
But Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt labelled the comment disrespectful and Silvers took it upon himself apologise to Sydney CEO Tom Harley.
Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire said that while Harley accepted the apology, the Swans in truth felt there was 'no harm done and play on'. Wayne Milera's remark sparked Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers into action. Credit: Getty
Speaking to SEN on Monday, Dawson said Milera's comments were 'taken out of context a little bit'.
'Obviously, I know Wayne really well and he's the most polite, genuine, caring guy probably in the team. He didn't mean any malice behind it,' he said.
'I think it was more around a reflection on how we were playing and obviously as a team you want to disrupt the opposition and I think that's kind of where he was coming from, our ability to put enough pressure on to make them feel like they're second guessing what they're doing
'I think that's where he was coming from. Obviously, quotes can be taken and you can spin them however you want.
'I haven't spoken to Junior about it, I don't think I need to because I know his intentions were all pure and he's a great human being.
'I hope Sydney wouldn't take it like we think they are a rabble of a football club because that's not how we feel as a group.'
When asked why the club felt the need to apologise, Dawson said he couldn't really comment on that.
'Good question, I'm sure I'll chat to Tim about it today, I can't really comment on that at the moment.,' he said.
Sunday Footy Feast co-host Campbell Brown scoffed at the news of the Crows' apology.
'God forbid you are too honest in an interview,' the Hawthorn premiership player said.
'That's such weak leadership as far as I'm concerned. Do you know who the rabble is now? Adelaide for having to come out and apologise.'
AFLW All Australian Kate McCarthy agreed.
'The fact they've basically undermined their own player there to come out — yes, they've obviously had a conversation — but that did not need to be apologised for,' she said.
'We want that from players. He didn't at any point make that personal. They were unorganised, they were a rabble — I think Sydney would have almost admitted that.
'That is absolutely ridiculous.'
Sydney coach Dean Cox himself described the loss as 'unacceptable and embarrassing'.
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