Brisbane crowd's epic response during Welcome to Country

A packed stadium in Brisbane has delivered a rousing response after being prompted in the middle of the official Welcome to Country.

The Brisbane crowd found their voice on Saturday. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Footy fans have delivered an emphatic response to Sam Newman’s Welcome to Country requests during the week.

Newman stirred controversy when he pleaded with fans to boo during the tradition ahead of the national anthem.

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On Friday night a packed MCG quietly and respectfully listened while Uncle Colin Hunter Jr gave an upbeat Welcome to Country.

On Saturday at the Gabba the fans found their voice in extraordinary scenes.

After the initial introduction, the crowd was encouraged to get involved with the stock standard Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi chant.

The noise radiating from the stands was electric as every fan who was in attendance appeared to get amongst it.

Fans watching on loved every minute of it as the cameras also showed both the Lions and Blues players smiling after the incredible moment.

One social media user wrote: “‘Welcome to Country’ goes off like a firework at the Gabba, not a single boo, ends with “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” and huge cheers. Thanks Sam Newman, off ya trot, loser.”

Greatest welcome to country ever 👏👏👏 #AFLLionsBlues

— kippa (@jaykippa) September 23, 2023

Stick that up ya clacker Sam Newman. The best Welcome to Country at the Gabba. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Ou, Oi, Oi!#AFL#SamNewmanisafuckwit

— ŘƏŊ🤘🏃 🇦🇺 (@metalheadruns) September 23, 2023

Now THAT'S a welcome to country that is UNITING rather than dividing
The response from fans & smiles from players says SO
much#UniteNotDivide#WellDoneShannonRuska#Aussies#WeAreOneAndWeAreMany@7AFL#AFLLionsBlues#AFLpic.twitter.com/tXwS8zwFem

— 🏏🇦🇺 *Marti* 💜⛈️🏈 (@HawksGirl67) September 23, 2023

Newman this week sparked a storm when he made a public call for football crowds to boo the Welcome To Country.

The former Footy Show panellist proposed an alternative he says is to promote unity.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan on Thursday emphatically condemned Newman’s comments, while Victorian Premier Dan Andrews also said the Welcome to Country was not something to boo.

Newman’s comments have been particularly explosive leading into the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum on October 14.

Newman has now told The Opposition Podcast he wants crowds to drown out the Welcome to Country by singing The Seekers’ 1987 anthem ‘I am Australian’.

The song features the lyrics “We are one, but we are many” in respect to Australia’s multicultural modern society.

It comes as Newman again hit out at the Indigenous Welcome to Country ceremony, labelling it “cringe-worthy”.

Newman caused a stirred with his remarks. Picture : Ian Currie

“Are we sick and tired of this? I’ve been going on about this for a while now. I find it insulting and demeaning to be welcomed to a country where I live in,” Newman said on the podcast.

“I have lived all my life here. I’ve paid taxes. I’ve contributed to it. Like everyone else we want to be united. One country.

“I don’t know why we try to divide each other on race. I don’t know why the Voice is even part of this narrative.

“And to say that I have to be welcomed to every single thing I step into, restaurants, churches, creches, fetes. It is out of control.

“It’s exponentially getting worse and worse because no-one will push back on it.”

The pleas from Sam Newman fell on deaf ears as footy fans far and wide showed they’re above the ugly calls.

Originally published as Brisbane crowd's epic response during Welcome to Country