‘Almost made me sick’: Anthony Albanese torched over song celebration
All the cameras were on Anthony Albanese, who has been slammed after making a surprise appearance in an AFL dressing room.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Anthony Albanese has been scolded by Channel 9 personality Tony Jones after he popped up inside Hawthorn’s dressing room on Saturday.
The Hawks pulled off a huge five-point upset win over St Kilda in Launceston on Saturday and the Prime Minister was in the thick of it as the team celebrated.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
TV cameras were all on the Labor leader as Hawthorn players called out to him to join their huddle moments before they sang their team song.
Players seemed to enjoy the novelty of standing shoulder to shoulder with the 61-year-old belting out the iconic show tune.
However, plenty of others watching on weren’t happy.
Jones was scathing of Albanese’s behaviour when taking a swipe at the Member for Grayndler.
“I was almost sick yesterday when I looked at the Hawthorn club song and there front and centre was the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,” Jones said on The Sunday Footy Show.
“He has no interest in AFL. And there he was there... he’s got the scarf around.... just go away.
“Seriously, when will Prime Minister’s learn to stay in your lane and that’s normally in the House of Representatives.”
Jones went on to say: “Albo, you’re not an AFL fan, stay away.”
Albanese attended a corporate event at the University of Tasmania Stadium during the clash and was a personal guest of Hawthorn club president Andrew Gowers.
A video of Albanese’s cameo was shared on the AFL’s official Twitter account and users of the social media platform responded with angry messages towards the club and the Prime Minister.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon was also an angry man after the match after watching his side fall short.
St Kilda were guilty of not taking the game on in the first half and Lyon wants his team to be more willing to die by the sword.
They did so in the third term, but squandered chances and managed to kick just 1.5 for the quarter.
“I spoke at halftime I didn’t like how we were playing. There was a mundaneness to it, a sameness,” he said.
“I said ‘we’re better than that, let’s get some run and overlap and go, be bold’.
“We had 16 entries (in the third quarter) and thought the kids started using their legs. Even though we stuffed a couple up, that’s where we want to be more.”
Lyon said Max King, who kicked two goals but had minimal impact, is a victim of St Kilda’s hesitant mindset.
“I said we’d rather play the way we did against Essendon with plenty of sizzle. I don’t like how we’re playing at the minute,” he said.
“We don’t sit them down with placards saying don’t take the game on. You’ve got to drive the car and go quick, but to be honest I’d rather go over the hill again.
“I’d like to have a bit more than we’re displaying at the minute, it doesn’t sit very comfortably.
“Criticism will come and that’s fair enough. People will go after Max King, but I think he’s systematic of those problems.
“It’s a mindset and a quick fix. We might overcorrect and open ourselves up a bit, but I’d rather that than what’s happening at the minute to be fair.”
— with NCA NewsWire
Originally published as ‘Almost made me sick’: Anthony Albanese torched over song celebration
The spark behind Aliir’s return to career best form
Aliir Aliir admits his early-season form was well of his All-Australian best, but tells MATT TURNER the spark which helped him stop being ‘in two minds’ every time he went near the ball.
Stacked with talent but still failing: Dons’ 19 first rounders unpacked
Essendon has 19 first-round selections on its list, the equal-most in the AFL. But that list, chock-full of talent, is underperforming. Is it development, coaching or recruiting letting the Dons down?