Former Collingwood great Tony Shaw has stirred controversy with his recent remarks about the AFL’s Welcome to Country ceremony. Shaw’s criticism, posted on social media, called the ceremony performed before the semi-final between the Brisbane Lions and GWS Giants “weak” and lambasted the AFL for its “politically correct” approach. His comments have sparked a national debate, with some accusing him of bordering on racism given his history of controversial statements.
Ceremony’s Political Undertones
The Welcome to Country, delivered by Brendan Kerin of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, included references to Australia’s colonial past, with Kerin stating, “This ceremony isn’t for white people; it’s something we’ve done for over 250,000 years—Before Cook.” This remark was seen by some as a pointed acknowledgment of the ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous Australians.
While Kerin’s speech was applauded by some attendees for honoring the history of Indigenous lands, others, like Shaw, took issue with what they perceived as divisiveness. Shaw, on X (formerly Twitter), called the AFL “embarrassing” for allowing such political statements during a sporting event. His comments, however, have drawn accusations of insensitivity, with some noting that Shaw has made similar remarks in the past that have been criticized as borderline racist.
I’m here this evening to perform a ceremony of Welcome to Country, A Welcome to Country is not a welcome to Australia. Within Australia we have many Aboriginal lands and we refer to our lands as country. So it’s always a welcome to the lands you’ve gathered on. A Welcome to Country is not a ceremony we’ve invented to cater for white people. It’s a ceremony we’ve been doing for 250,000 years-plus BC. And the BC stands for Before Cook. Prior to colonisation, you could get yourself in a lot of trouble for walking on someone else’s lands without being welcomed onto those lands, So for me it’s always an honour to perform this ceremony. – Brendan Kerin.
Mixed Public Reaction
Shaw’s take was met with both support and criticism online. Supporters argue that sports should remain free of politics, while others contend that Shaw’s comments reveal a deeper discomfort with recognizing Indigenous issues. One of his high-profile supporters, former basketball coach Brendan Joyce, called the events of the weekend “an embarrassment,” joining Shaw in condemning the AFL for politicizing pre-game ceremonies.
However, there has been significant pushback against Shaw’s comments, with critics highlighting that his remarks downplay the importance of cultural recognition. Some fans took to social media to call Shaw’s views out of touch, particularly given Australia’s efforts to reconcile with its Indigenous history.
Broader Cultural Debate
The debate surrounding Shaw’s criticism has reignited a broader discussion about the role of Welcome to Country ceremonies and the recognition of Indigenous culture in Australian sports. While the AFL has yet to formally respond to Shaw’s remarks, many believe that the league’s continued acknowledgment of Indigenous land is an important step towards inclusivity.
Shaw’s critics argue that his comments reflect a resistance to this progress and border on racism, given his history of making similarly charged remarks in the past. Supporters of the Welcome to Country ceremony believe that such acknowledgments are crucial in a country still grappling with its colonial legacy. On the other hand, those who side with Shaw argue that injecting politics into sports is unnecessary and detracts from the game.
Tony Shaw’s latest comments have ignited a heated discussion about the intersection of politics, race, and sports in Australia. As the AFL finals continue, the role of cultural ceremonies like the Welcome to Country is likely to remain a point of contention. Whether the AFL should maintain its approach to cultural recognition or distance itself from political statements is now part of a larger national conversation.
