Almost 100,000 AFL fans have stood as one to express their appreciation for a pre-match Welcome to Country ceremony, hours after Aboriginal elders were booed at dawn services across the nation.
Footy fans flocked to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday for the annual Anzac Day showdown between Collingwood and Essendon – which has become one of the biggest sporting events on the nation’s calendar.
The pre-game ceremony kicked off with a Welcome to Country, where Uncle Colin Hunter Jr received huge cheers and a standing ovation.
The moving scenes sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation, hours after hecklers disrupted the Welcome to Country at dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Hunter received a rousing reception as he was introduced to the crowd.
‘I would like to start by saying that this afternoon we are gathering on the lands of my ancestors, the Wurundjeri people,’ he began.
He paid his respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people before making a ‘special acknowledgement.’
‘I want to acknowledge the men and women who have served this country and I want to pay my deepest respects to them,’ Hunter continued.
Uncle Colin Hunter Junior received huge cheers and a standing ovation during the pre-match Welcome to Country ceremony at the MCG on Saturday
More than 92,000 fans were in attendance for the annual Anzac Day clash between Collingwood (pictured) and Essendon
‘Wominjeka, welcome. Enjoy the game.’
Fans continued to cheer and applaud during his speech.
Those watching at home were touched by the overwhelming response .
‘Welcoming to Country ain’t going anywhere. Know this,’ one man commented.
Another added: ‘95,000 people showed respect to the Welcome to Country from Uncle Colin. And showed the same respect to the Ode to the fallen. This is how we should all be, showing respect to each other.
A third wrote: ‘Always feel proud that Melbourne always gives Uncle Colin Hunter Jr. the respect, love and appreciation he deserves.’
A fourth said: ‘Uncle Colin again showing why he’s the man when it comes to Welcome to Country.’
But not everyone agreed that the ceremony had a place on Anzac Day.
A packed MCG expressed their appreciation for the Welcome to Country, hours after the ceremony was disrupted by hecklers at dawn services
Fans watching at home commended the respect shown to Uncle Colin Hunter (right)
‘It’s divisive and unnecessary and highlights one section of our community over others. It must be stopped at all Anzac services, otherwise the protests will continue,’ one commented.
Another added:’ Today isn’t the day for it! Today should only be for the Anzacs! They gave their lives for this country, they certainly don’t need to be welcomed to it.’
It comes after a man was arrested in Sydney’s Martin Place after he allegedly heckled an Aboriginal leader as he performed the Acknowledgement of Country.
Pastor Uncle Ray Minniecon was interrupted by loud boos just seconds into his speech at the packed dawn service.
A 24-year-old man was arrested for ‘an alleged act of nuisance’ during the service while several other hecklers were moved on.
Despite the boos, Uncle Ray bravely continued with his address and was met with loud applause when he finished.
Uncle Ray, an Indigenous serviceman whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade, urged Aussies to show respect following the ceremony.
The Pies thrashed the Bombers in a 77-point demolition.
Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury claimed his fourth Anzac Day Medal for best-on-ground with two goals and 43 possessions, one game shy of equalling the all-time VFL-AFL games record.
