Adelaide's chief executive has slammed his club's fans who booed Collingwood's Isaac Quaynor, saying they crossed a line with their "inappropriate" behaviour.
Quaynor was the target of a homophobic slur from Adelaide's Izak Rankine in an August 16 game last year that resulted in a four-game ban for the star Crow.
Yet the Magpie defender was booed by sections of the Adelaide Oval crowd during Collingwood's 34-point win on Thursday night.
"Everyone’s a bit confused by it, but I obviously understand why they’re doing it," Quaynor said on Friday before departing Adelaide.
"Whether or not I agree with it is obviously a different question. Hopefully that’s it for that.
“I’m sure I can speak on Izak’s behalf that we both want to move past this.
“People make mistakes. I’m sure he’s learnt from it.”
Adelaide's chief executive Tim Silvers said "the behaviour of some crossed the line last night".
"Put simply, it was inappropriate and not good enough," he said in a statement.
Post-match, Collingwood coach Craig McRae was perplexed why sections of the Adelaide Oval crowd booed Quaynor.
"It's a fascinating narrative around why they would boo him," McRae said after his side's 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) triumph.
"My understanding is he was a victim of a homophobic slur - and he's getting booed for that.
"It's a fascinating world we live in."
McRae sought out Adelaide's Rankine after the final siren.
"I said: 'Mate, we've got great respect for you'," the coach said.
"People are allowed to make mistakes; they are, we're all human. I've got great respect for him. He's a sensational player.
"And I don't know him as a person, but the way he stood up ... took it on the shoulders or whatever, however you want to put it, there's something to be said about that.
"That's life, isn't it: make a mistake, fix it, or get on with it and improve yourself."
Crows coach Nicks, on the eve of the match, called for supporters to be respectful in what was Rankine's first game against the Magpies since his suspension.
"I mentioned it during the week about why we play footy, why people come to the footy," Nicks said post-match.
"It's about entertainment, it's about enjoyment, passion. The game is a passionate game and sometimes we lose our way in that a little.
"It's not ideal, the way it played out tonight."
