AFL fans react to Welcome to Country before Suns clash with Geelong
There has been a mixed reaction to a different take on the Welcome to Country for the AFL clash in Darwin.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Darwin is kicking off this year’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls round in the AFL and a special Welcome to Country was performed ahead of the clash between the Suns and Cats.
This is the 18th year the AFL has held a dedicated round to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people and the ninth year it has been named after Nicholls, who played for Fitzroy in the VFL in 1930 before becoming a pastor and Aboriginal leader.
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 >
The AFL’s 18 teams traditionally wear jumpers designed by Indigenous people for the round, while a Welcome to Country ceremony is also held.
In Darwin, Liam Stansfield and Edwin Fejo commenced the ceremony before singing a song with members of the Youth Mill Performing Arts Company.
There was a didgeridoo player, a string quartet and a choir all taking part in the stirring rendition of a song titled Mergence.
While sports fans in Australia have become accustomed to a traditional Welcome to Country, this was a very different approach and drew a strong reaction on social media.
“How bloody good was that,” was one comment on X, formerly Twitter.
“Absolutely loving the Welcome to Country for the AFL game in Darwin,” wrote another.
“A fabulous Welcome to Country,” added a third.
“Now this is an awesome welcome to country!!” stated another.
TIO Stadium in Darwin is a second home to the Gold Coast club, which has played a number of matches at the venue and will play two games a seasons there for the next three years.
The Suns thrashed North Melbourne at the venue last week before Thursday night’s blockbuster against premiership fancy Geelong.
There is increased speculation Darwin could eventually be granted a licence to become the AFL’s 20th club.
While the majority of comments about the pre-match Welcome to Country were positive, as expected there were a few that voiced their displeasure.
One wrote: “What rubbish. Make it stop.”
Another stated: “Such cringe.”
A third added: “Horror. What’s wrong with a traditional welcome to country. That was not good at all.”
In typically sweltering conditions, both teams made a good start to the match before the Suns kicked clear.
At halftime, Gold Coast led 11.5 (71) to 6.2 (38) as the hosts chased consecutive wins for the second time this season.
Any thoughts of a Geelong fightback were quickly snuffed out as the impressive Suns stormed away for a 26.8 (164) to 15.10 (100) thrashing that puts them in the top eight early in round 10.
It is the Suns’ highest ever score, beating the 21.22 (148) they managed against GWS way back in round five, 2013.
Originally published as AFL fans react to Welcome to Country before Suns clash with Geelong
Revealed: The panel which will oversee Dees’ review after backflip
After rejecting the need for a full-scale review of the club all through 2024, Melbourne has backflipped. JAY CLARK reveals the three men who’ll conduct the sweeping review.
Macrae, Daniel … Bevo? The big off-season calls facing the Dogs
The Western Bulldogs have made finals in seven of the past 10 seasons but were smashed by Hawthorn on Friday night so where to now for Luke Beveridge? Plus the latest on a premiership pair.