The AFL has paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with a beautiful gesture moments before the semi final at the MCG.
After players from both the Lions and Demons lined up for the Welcome to Country, a minute’s silence was observed for the late monarch who sadly passed at the age of 96.
The announcer at the ground asked patrons to remain upstanding “to remember her majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second”.
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“May she rest in peace,” the announcer said.
Flags were flown at half mast for the match while the MCG was flooded in purple light – the colour of royalty.
Flowers were also placed in between the two teams.
A beautiful photo tribute was visible on the big screen before an instrumental version of God Save the Queen rang out at the MCG.
Fans showed the upmost respect by remaining silent while England flags were visible in the stands.
Many footy fans took to social media to applaud the tribute – one of the first in Australian sport for the late longest-reigning British monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II’s passing was announced in the early hours of Friday morning, after being under “supervision” over fears for her ill health.
Buckingham Palace had revealed the Queen died “peacefully” in her sleep at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
While the MCG tribute was the first for the AFL, players from Fremantle and the Bulldogs also observed a minute’s silence in their AFLW clash hours earlier on Friday.
The MCG, along with other venues across the country, will remain lit up in purple.
“From the evening of Friday September 9 until the evening of Her Majesty’s Funeral, the MCG joins other landmarks around Melbourne in lighting up purple and a token of Victoria’s respect and gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II,” an MCG spokesperson said.
