Mick Malthouse: Anzac Day ‘shoot Turks’ speech lands footy legend in hot water

AFL legend Mick Malthouse has apologised to Australia’s Turkish community after his “inappropriate” pre-Anzac Day speech to Collingwood players.

Mick Malthouse pictured leaving the Turkish Consulate in Albert Park on Wednesday afternoon, where he apologised to Australia's Turkish community after inappropriate remarks he made to Collingwood players before their Anzac clash against Essendon. Picture: Hugo Timms News Corp Australia

Mick Malthouse apologised to the Australian Turkish community for “offensive” remarks he made in a speech to Collingwood players before their Anzac Day clash against Essendon.

Malthouse’s apology, which was made in the presence of Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson and Melbourne’s Turkish consulate general Eser Torun, comes despite denying his intention to apologise when phoned by the Herald Sun on Monday.

At the time, Malthouse told the The Herald Sun he would “start talking facts” about the meeting if the reporter revealed their sources.

In the speech, Malthouse metaphorically urged Collingwood players to “take those Turks out”.

“That opportunity, when it comes, you jump on that horse and you fire from the hip and you just take those Turks right out … (because) they’re coming at you.”

The apology was confirmed by the Turkish Consulate.

Oscar Yildiz, a long-term councillor at Moreland, raised the issue in a Facebook post on the weekend, saying he found the comments “very insensitive and inappropriate”.

Mr Yildiz, who was born in Australia but is of Turkish ancestry, said Malthouse’s commenters were a “slip of the tongue”.

“When you’re in the moment, you get carried away,” Mr Yildiz said.

“It was a poor choice of words.”

Malthouse, who coached West Coast to premierships in 1992 and 1994 before winning the 2010 premiership with Collingwood, remains one of the game’s most senior figures.

Collingwood Football Club declined to comment.