Sam Newman’s attempts to rubbish Welcome to Country fails miserably

AFL fans have delivered a verdict on Sam Newman’s controversial call to boo the Welcome to Country at the AFL finals.

Sam Newman’s attempts at stirring up controversy and urging people to turn against the Welcome to Country have failed miserably.

Newman, a former AFL player himself and media identity, spent the past week trying to generate a negative attitude towards the traditional start to AFL matches.

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Newman wanted fans to boo or do a slow clap when the ceremony was taking place.

Instead, fans quietly and respectfully listened while Uncle Colin Hunter Jr gave an upbeat Welcome to Country in front of about 90,000 fans at the MCG.

The reaction on social media was swift and intense.

Uncle Colin Hunter Jr’s Welcome to Country was respectfully received at the MCG. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“Didn’t hear a single boo, which shows that people think Sam Newman is a lot more offensive than Welcome to Country,” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.

“Well that is how irrelevant Sam Newman is. Not one boo, but plenty of cheers for welcome to country. Back in your box Sam,” wrote another.

“Not a boo to be heard at the Welcome to Country and much applause afterwards.

“Well done to @GWSGIANTS and @CollingwoodFC fans. Australians are much better than reactionaries like #RacistSam,” was another comment.

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.

Sam Newman’s attempt fell completely flat. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for AGPC)

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”.

Didn't hear a single boo, which shows that people think Sam Newman is a lot more offensive than Welcome to Country

— Anthony Sharwood ❄️ (@antsharwood) September 22, 2023

Didn't hear any booing during the welcome to country. Goes to show what a sad and pathetic man out of touch with modern Australia Sam Newman is. #aflpiesgiants

— tmmisson (@tmmisson) September 22, 2023

Not a boo to be heard at the Welcome to Country and much applause afterwards.

Well done to @GWSGIANTS and @CollingwoodFC fans. Australians are much better than reactionaries like #RacistSam

— The Big Big Borange von Klar Esq ✠🛩️ (@BaronvonKlar) September 22, 2023

“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.”

But on Friday night, thousands pushed back against Newman.