Veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson has blasted the AFL’s handling of the decision to abandon honouring Queen Elizabeth II with a minute’s silence before AFLW matches last weekend, branding it a “public relations mess”.
Her Majesty’s passing was acknowledged before the men’s semi-finals on Friday and Saturday evening, but the AFL backflipped on a plan to follow suit in the AFLW because the competition was celebrating Indigenous Round.
A minute’s silence was observed before the opening game of the round between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle, but a Welcome to Country was sensationally scrapped.
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As players from both Dockers and Bulldogs stood together in arms, Culture is Life CEO Belinda Duarte took the microphone to announce the last minute change, saying: “Due to sorry business, a Welcome to Country was unable to be conducted today.” Players still exchanged a pre-game gift in the centre of the ground after the pre-game moment of silence for the Queen.
Bulldogs director Belinda Duarte said the minute’s silence “imposed a reflection on the impact of (The Queen’s) life and reign” and “unearthed deep wounds”.
“While for many Australians it’s seen as appropriate to recognise the significance of the Queen’s passing, we must understand what this brings up for First Peoples, the impact of colonisation and what the monarchy represents to us and our families,” the Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman said.
But many – including Indigenous elder Ian Hunter – thought the decision was wrong.
“It is totally disrespectful to our country who is a part of the British colony, disrespectful, that’s what I’d say,” Hunter told News Corp.
The AFL had sent a memo to all clubs, acknowledging that a minute’s silence would be observed before both finals and all AFLW and VFL matches this weekend. But by Saturday morning, the decision to observe the minute’s silence for the late Queen had been canned.
The AFL refused to comment on its decision to backflip on the minute’s silence when contacted by The Herald Sun on Monday.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Monday evening, Wilson said the AFL “badly botched the tribute to Queen Elizabeth, where its women’s competition was concerned”.
“At Friday night’s Bulldogs-Fremantle clash, the pre-game one-minute silence for the late monarch did not sit comfortably for some of Australia’s First Peoples, given as it followed so immediately after the Acknowledgment of Country, to open the AFLW Indigenous Round,” Wilson told Footy Classified.
“So the remaining one-minute silences were scrapped for the rest of the women’s round, a move which in turn incensed a number of football supporters and became a headline by Saturday morning.
“Not only did it take away from a moving and stirring tribute at the MCG on Friday night for the men’s semi-final, but it turned a tide of public opinion against the women footballers, unfairly.
“It was divisive and it needn’t have happened.
“Why the AFL boss or bosses who made this call didn’t take into account the sensitivities of the women’s Indigenous Round and only hold the one-minute silence for the men’s competition in the first place is beyond me.
“It was a public relations mess, and it was upsetting for many people on both sides.
“No wonder no one has put their hand up to take responsibility.”
Co-host Craig Hutchison thought Wilson’s comments were “a little unfair”, pointing out that “it’s a very difficult and sensitive cultural issue”.
“It was an unexpected passing, and there was a lot going in a short period of time to work through,” he said.
But Wilson responded: “It was Indigenous Round. I think very quickly it would have been obvious that this was not appropriate for some people.
“By doing it, it’s upset people on both sides.”
The men’s competition paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with a beautiful gesture moments before the Melbourne-Brisbane 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”.
“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 photo tribute was visible on the big screen before an instrumental version of God Save the Queen rang out at the MCG.
