Rob Derby backs NRL’s plan for Welcome to Country ceremonies at Magic Round

A North Queensland rising star has backed the NRL’s plans for a Welcome to Country at the upcoming Magic Round after a divisive debate took over the nation.

25: Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown delivers the 'Welcome to Country' on April 25, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a Dawn Service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

A Cowboys rising star has backed the NRL’s plan for its Magic Round Welcome to Country ceremony after a controversial debate broke out around the country about the purpose of them.

Divisive opinions about the purpose and appropriateness of the ceremonies have dominated headlines since neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant booed elder uncle Mark Brown during the Welcome to Country at the Melbourne Anzac Dawn Service.

The Welcome to Country was then cancelled at the Melbourne Storm and Rabbitohs game on Anzac Day. The club has said this was a miscommunication.

On Tuesday morning, the NRL confirmed Welcome to Country ceremonies will take place ahead of the women’s State of Origin and the first Magic round game on Friday.

It is a jam packed week of rugby league with the Women’s State of Origin on Thursday night and the fan-favourite Magic Round taking over Brisbane from Friday.

“We will continue with our usual practices which includes a Welcome to Country for Women’s State of Origin and the beginning of Magic Round,” the spokesman said.

“The protocols are an important part of the NRL’s Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Papua New Guinea-born Cowboys winger, Robert Derby, voiced his views about the ceremony on Tuesday following his impressive performance at Saturday’s night game, stating it’s vital to the game and the players.

“I know a bunch of teams have Indigenous players,” Derby said.

“I think it’s special for the game. I think it’s important we respect the land on which we play on.”

North Queensland Cowboys training at Cowboys HQ. Robert Derby. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Cowboys winger said “100 per cent” the Magic Round should feature a Welcome to Country.

The Cowboys include a Welcome to Country in programming at key events, including last week’s Anzac round game against the Titans and during Indigenous rounds.

During the final leaders debate on Sunday, lifelong Rabbitohs supporter, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Welcome to Country ceremonies were a “matter of respect”.

“It’s also, of course, up to the organisations that are hosting an event of whether they have a Welcome to Country or not,” Mr Albanese said.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton labelled the Welcome to Country ceremonies as “overdone”.

“People have said this to me as we moved across the country, there is a sense across the community that it’s overdone,” Mr Dutton said.

“For the opening of parliament, fair enough, it’s respectful to do but for the start of every meeting at work or the start of a football game, I think a lot of Australians think it’s overdone and it cheapens the significance of what it was meant to do.”

Originally published as Rob Derby backs NRL’s plan for Welcome to Country ceremonies at Magic Round