The Melbourne Storm have finally apologised for the Welcome to Country scandal that rocked the club on ANZAC Day.
The Storm abruptly cancelled a planned Welcome to Country ceremony just hours before kick‑off at AAMI Park on ANZAC Day – more than three months ago.
Now the club has finally apologised to all of the groups and individuals impacted by that 11th–hour decision – but also revealed the team won’t be holding a Welcome to Country ceremony at their Indigenous Round match on Thursday night.
Instead, the Storm will hold an Acknowledgement of Country. Unlike a Welcome, an Acknowledgement can be performed by a non–Indigenous person.
‘Melbourne Storm has been in ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community following the events on ANZAC Day and has apologised to the individuals, groups, and communities involved,’ the club announced in a statement.
‘The Club extends that apology to First Nations and Māori and Pasifika communities impacted.
The Melbourne Storm will play the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night as the first game of Indigenous Round – but will not hold a Welcome to Country ceremony
It comes after the Storm axed the Welcome to Country ceremony at the 11th hour on ANZAC Day, blindsiding Indigenous elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (pictured)
While ANZAC Day ceremonies went on as planned, Wurundjeri performers and elders were shut out
‘As we continue to engage with the local community regarding connection to the Club and cultural protocols and out of respect for those involved, the Club will recognise the traditional owners of the land through an Acknowledgement of Country on Thursday night for Indigenous Round.’
But the timing of their apology has set off another firestorm, and it’s all to do with money, jerseys and timing.
This week, the club unveiled its 2025 Indigenous Round jersey, to be worn against the Brisbane Broncos.
The guernsey features artwork honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who have worn the purple jersey.
It will be sold to fans as part of the lead‑up to Indigenous Round celebrations.
For many fans, the optics couldn’t be worse.
‘But they’ve still decided to not have a Welcome to Country for the upcoming Indigenous round,’ one fan commented.
‘Is this just about money or is this a change in accepting cultural diversity and inclusion of First Nations people. As your disgusting decisions over welcome to Country cannot be tolerated,’ posted another.
The timing of the Storm’s apology has come under fire, as it coincided with the release of the team’s Indigenous Round jerseys
Footy fans questioned the Storm and accused the club of cashing in on Indigenous Round
‘Won’t have a welcome to country. Will make $ by selling an indigenous themed Guernsey,’ added another.
The backlash comes on the heels of the ANZAC Day Welcome to Country scandal that’s been simmering since April.
The decision blindsided Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin, who has performed the protocol at countless Melbourne events.
She was told she was no longer required, with no clear explanation.
Two First Nations performance groups, also booked to appear, immediately withdrew in protest.
Even when the club tried to backtrack, it was too late to save the moment.
The fallout was instant and brutal.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, a long‑time partner, cut ties with the Storm entirely.
Welcome to Country ceremonies have become a divisive issue at sporting events and in the wider community
Aunty Joy said she was ‘heartbroken’ and unsure if she could ever work with the club again.
Club chairman Matt Tripp later claimed the board had not formally approved the ceremony.
He blamed the debacle on a miscommunication between the board and management.
But that explanation didn’t wash with critics, who saw the move as a sign of disrespect.
The scandal landed on a day already marred by cultural tensions.
Earlier that morning, neo‑Nazis booed an Indigenous elder during a Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
The Storm has remained steadfast in its decision to ditch regular Welcome to Country ceremonies throughout the season.
‘We’re really keen to let our actions (rather than words) reflect what we stand for as a club in the community,’ the club said.
