AFL roasted over odd social media post for Rivalry Round

Carlton vs Collingwood and the AFL's social post. Photos: News Corp/Twitter

The odd choice of subject used by the AFL to promote this week’s Rivalry Round has been widely panned by footy fans.

The AFL and its social media team has come underfire over a social media post to promote this week’s Rivalry Round.

There is a superb round of footy ahead, with huge clashes like a stand-alone Thursday night Showdown in Adelaide, Carlton against Collingwood at the MCG and the high-flying Swans and Giants set to face off in Sydney in round eight.

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Social media can be a tough, competitive game and accounts are always looking for that edge or something that sets them apart or generates interest.

While not all matches this round are traditional rivalries, Fremantle taking on Richmond and St Kilda facing the Kangaroos among them, there are enough juicy match-ups to easily sell the round on.

So the AFL team’s decision to use a Harry Potter reference in a Rivalry Round post has not gone down well with the vast majority of fans.

The last book in the Harry Potter series was published in 2007, while the final movie was released in theatres in 2011.

There’s been a feisty build-up to the latest Sydney derby. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)

Author JK Rowling has also been embroiled in controversy for some years over her comments regarding transgender rights, which led to a split with some of the stars of the movie series, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

But the AFL pushed ahead with a graphic image featuring eight footy players depicted as characters from the hugely successful series, all riding broomsticks and playing the fictional game of Quidditch.

Sydney’s Isaac Heeney, GWS forward Jesse Hogan, Brayden Maynard from the Pies, Brisbane’s Cam Rayner, Crows star Izak Rankine, Port’s Zak Butters and Suns co-captain Touk Miller are in the image.

Topping it off is Carlton spearhead Harry McKay, complete with Harry’s glasses as he appears to take on the title role.

The capes and jerseys worn by the players also depict their AFL team colours.

The caption states: “Release the Golden Snitch, it’s time for the rivals to go head-to-head.”

The AFL has used more traditional posts this week, including a link to the preview of round eight with a caption “Massive rivalries take centre stage in round eight”, along with a post with a simple question: “What’s the best rivalry in footy?”

Collingwood vs Carlton clashes are always fierce battles. Photo by Michael Klein.

That second post has received over 230 comments, 43 retweets and 133,000 views since it landed on May 1, showing that type of social media content still resonates.

The Harry Potter post has had 95 comments, 78 retweets and 94,000 views at the time of writing since it was published early on Thursday morning AEST.

The Harry Potter books have sold over 600 million copies as of 2023 and are still being enjoyed by children and parents, which could well be behind the AFL’s reasoning.

The comments on the post, however, show how it has widely been received.

“Finish out the day, take any personal belongings home. Hand in your laptop and drop off your card at security,” was one suggestion to the social media team on X.

“This image has damaged my head so much it needs to be referred directly to the tribunal,” wrote another.

“What in the mudblood is this,” wrote a third, at least using a reference from the series.

Others were short and sharp in their assessment.

One wrote: “Eeek. This is just weird.”

Another stated: “In 2024? Get it together guys.”

Release the Golden Snitch, it's time for the rivals to go head-to-head 🪄 pic.twitter.com/wPjXGZuhJ6

— AFL (@AFL) May 1, 2024

A third wrote: “If you made this in AI I’m disappointed. This is embarrassing.”

Another added: “Respectfully what the f**k is this.”

Another footy fan believed another franchise with a relevant date could have been used in the image instead.

“What is this image? Two days before May the 4th… and you go with a Harry Potter image,” they wrote.

May the 4th is known worldwide as Star Wars Day as it’s close to that series’ famous phrase, “May the force be with you”.

We did find one complimentary comment, so we’ll finish with that ahead of a huge round of footy.

“This is great,” they wrote. “Harry McKay as Harry Potter is a nice touch.”

The AFL has been contacted for comment by news.com.au.