Absolutely pathetic. Rather than risk needing to expel a neo-Nazi or two, they do exactly what the neo Nazis would want - cancel the involvement of Indigenous Australians altogether.
Apparently the Storm’s owner was a major donor to the “No” campaign, so this might have been more out of finding an excuse to support their ideology than a caving in to the racists, as many suggest.
This doesn’t surprise me at all, these types love to find any excuses to pander to the white supremacy segment, which unfortunately has been quite emboldened of late. It’s important to call this behaviour out when it occurs, and fortunately that has been happening.
I feel like I’m missing a lot of background here…
They’re referring to this incident at the Shrine Dawn Service: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-25/anzac-day-uncle-mark-black-diggers-neo-nazi-heckling/105215590
Melbourne Storm CEO cancelled the Welcome to Country at the ANZAC Day NRL Match: https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/melbourne-storm-issue-statement-over-welcome-to-country-decision-c-18491540
I’m pretty sure no one cares, if I remember they cancelled the majority of them and literally no one noticed
You mean when we voted no on the voice, essentially cancelling entire communities?
I know a lot of people aren’t in favour of welcome to country, but, a lot are. It’s a symbolic gesture that respects indigenous culture in particular and Australian heritage at large.
Many would not miss it, I’m sure, but specifically excluding people on the day is terrible and kowtowing to literal Nazis. It’s cowardly and shameful.
You mean when we voted no on the voice
Nah the storm used to do it before every single game and reduced it down to just the indigenous round
I thought you meant we as a nation. This is in reaction to boos at welcome to country at Anzac day events in Melbourne, so it now has more relevance. Deciding to not have them is different to cancelling it on the day after rehearsals and preparation, purely to appease the worst in our society. By minimising it, you are playing into making it political, the very reason some government for not having welcome to country.
Wasn’t that the Nazi’s in Melbourne that interrupted the service?
ie the Melbourne Storm board cancelled Welcome to Country because literal Nazis booed it at the Dawn Service?
Yes, they kowtowed to Nazis. Or, chose Nazis over inclusion.
I was at the game with my family and we noticed. Even my kiwi mates there realised. Round 6 was multicultural round and a lot of fun. Strange turn of events for there to be no welcome at a game
