The use of music at AFL matches appears to have reached a tipping point, with some experts and many fans saying tunes are starting to ruin the footy.
The Brisbane Lions transformed the game-day experience years ago with players asked to pick a celebration song to be played after they kicked a goal.
The initiative was wildly successful in Brisbane, with John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads, Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and even Elsa’s Let It Go from the movie Frozen bellowing out of the speakers at the Gabba.
It created a party vibe, with packed houses singing along and creating a deafening atmosphere that opposition teams dreaded.
And like any good initative, it was rapidly stolen by other clubs, with multiple teams now playing music after one of their stars boots a major.
The practice was even extended to the grand final, with the AFL allowing songs between goals for the first time in history in last year’s decider.
Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron will get to sing Take Me Home Country Roads if his side makes the grand final again this year – but many fans say tunes at games have crossed a line
Singing songs after goals are kicked has become a popular part of the gameday experience in Brisbane and at other AFL clubs like Geelong and GWS
The AFL has a chequered history when it comes to music, including the disastrous Meat Loaf grand final appearance
Many fans were left furious by that change, saying it took the focus away from the footy and wasn’t needed to create atmosphere with a crowd of 100,000 at the MCG.
Now Richmond has decided to ban the practice at its matches.
Despite struggling to kick any goals this season, the last-placed club has decided to become the first to outlaw the goal celebration songs at their home games.
Tigers CEO Shane Dunne claimed the move was made because fans wanted more low-key, traditional celebrations instead.
‘We get really positive feedback. It’s a really subtle goal celebration we have had for years now,’ he said.
‘It’s a simple Tiger roar with a Tiger on the screen and a subtle didgeridoo. It’s a ritual built over time and our fans like and enjoy it.
‘We would rather hear the roar from the Punt Road end and then allow fans to have a chat and a yarn about the goal they just saw.’
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson backed Richmond’s stance on Channel Seven’s The Agenda Setters, but also had a backhanded swipe for the cellar-dwelling club.
Jack Riewoldt enjoyed his rock star moment with The Killers after the 2017 AFL grand final in an example of footy music done right
‘When your average list [kicks] nine goals a game, does it really matter whether you play songs after goals or not?’ she asked.
‘That’s a bit cruel, but I’m with Richmond. Brisbane had a great innovation with [Take Me Home] Country Roads, etc, but now everybody is getting in on the act.
‘You can’t hear yourself think at the footy sometimes, people do want to have a beer and a chat.
‘But I thought for the Tigers to say [that], when they’re the lowest-scoring team in the AFL, was a bit embarrassing.’
Media personalities have lined up to sound their disapproval at music at the footy as well.
News Corp journalist Daniel Cherny lamented that ‘the AFL has lost touch with what is important in the game’.
NewsWire footy reporter Ronny Lerner thinks the AFL’s grand final decision is an ‘absolute joke’.
Veteran media personality Stephen Quartermain went off on the subject on SEN.
The AFL has not been afraid to think outside of the box, including hiring veteran rockers KISS to play the 2023 grand final
Snoop Dogg was another polarising choice by the AFL at last year’s premiership decider
‘Sorry gents, I don’t want to sound like a dinosaur or an old man yelling at a cloud, but this crap music is doing my head in,’ he fumed.
‘We had it last night up at the Gabba, we had it at the Giants’ stadium … we don’t need it.
‘It’s just doing my head in.’
There was a smattering of support for his stance in the comments section.
‘Doesn’t matter how old you are, the music is unnecessary, too loud, and doesn’t suit the game. It’s not basketball,’ one fan posted.
‘Absolutely. The atmosphere of the footy and roar of the crowd is what we are there for. Not some forced, repetitive overproduced noise,’ added another.
But most footy fans think anyone who grumbles about the overuse of music has lost touch with the game.
‘I love the songs after they kick a goal. It’s great motivation and it’s fun to sing along to it,’ one fan commented.
‘Suits the game fine, the kids love it and you can have a bit of a laugh at some of the stitch ups the lads get off of their teammates,’ posted another.
‘If goal music triggers u that much, idk what to say.’ added another.
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