Australia is increasingly well known for Australian Football as the game gets a toe-hold in more and more countries. But in many sports we're also known to be prolific "sledgers" - using a bit of verbal abuse to throw the opposition off their game. It's questionable whether there is any place for sledging in sport, other than a bit of good natured "niggle", but there's no doubt a bit of "verbal jousting" will continue to be a part of many games, not just in Australia.

But what does need to be banished is any sledging along racial lines, be it truly "race" or any particular ethnic background. The Australian Football League has done an excellent job on that issue, with indigenous players such as Nicky Winmar and Michael Long making a stand and the AFL backing them up. However, anecdotal evidence and common-sense suggests that the changes in attitude have not filtered down to lower grades of football - at least not as thoroughly as needed.

Despite generations of immigration from around the world, the largest group in footy remains Causasian with an Aussie accent. Over the decades other European backgrounds have become much more common and better accepted. However the fact remains that any point of difference is often exploited.

As Aussie Rules continues to expand internationally we will see increasing numbers of players come to Australia. One such player is Brendan Murphy from Ireland, now on Sydney's rookie list. In just his second match playing for the Swans' reserves side he was reportedly subjected to abuse and told to go back to Ireland. It would be nice to think that international players will be made welcome, and they surely will at the clubs they go to, but let's hope opponents show appropriate respect too. In the meantime international players can assure themselves that part of the reason for any sledging is the fear that they just might be a better player than their Aussie opponent. It's no excuse, but should prove some comfort.

Murphy subject of racial abuse