PERTH – Optus Stadium patrons were this week reminded to “respect the traditional owners of this land” by a loudspeaker announcement sponsored by a mining company currently fighting three separate heritage protection orders in the Pilbara.
The pre-match acknowledgement, delivered between a Bunnings sausage sizzle promo and a betting agency’s “responsible gambling” disclaimer, ran for approximately 14 seconds before the first bounce.
“We take cultural recognition very seriously” said a stadium operations spokesperson, reading the acknowledgement off the same laminated card used since 2017. “That’s why we commissioned a didgeridoo sound effect to play during player entrances. It’s been cleared by our brand team.”
Whadjuk Noongar community members reported being offered two complimentary grandstand tickets in exchange for “consultation” then being asked to sign an NDA about stadium infrastructure.
Fremantle Dockers fans confirmed the Welcome to Country was moving but did note it was drowned out by the Eagles theme song starting eight seconds early.
The AFL has since announced Round 9 will include a special “Sir Doug Nicholls Round” T-shirt available for purchase for $89.95 – with 2% of proceeds going to a foundation the AFL itself runs.
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