Why won’t our AFL players sing the national anthem before the start of a game? With Advance Australia Fair celebrating its 28th anniversary today, it’s a timely question.
And with ANZAC Day looming and another round of games where our teams line-up and stand there, staring blankly at goodness knows what while our national anthem is played, perhaps they need a gentle reminder that some members of their adoring public find this practice offensive.
At various times during the season, our teams line up like kids at a school assembly while the Australian national anthem is played in a rousing fashion to an entire stadium.
The only problem is, most of the players (and coaches) never sing.
Are they embarrassed to sing? Surely that can’t be true because there’s always plenty of singing by everyone and anyone who can get in on the act in the rooms after a win.
Is it that our gladiators are so focussed on the job at hand that they don’t want to sing? If that’s the case – too bad.
It doesn’t cut it. Singing your country’s national anthem is a sign of respect.
Do they not know the words? If not, then all AFL clubs should make it their mission to teach them the words. After all, when school kids can memorise the words, surely a bunch of big burly footy players can do it too.
It doesn’t matter if you think the song itself is rubbish. No one has ever been overly fond of the fact that “our home is girt by sea,” but there you have it.
The song itself was written in 1898 and maybe a lot of things were ‘girt’ back in those days.
The Herald Sun reported recently that “endless anthem openings hit a bum note” and that the AFL’s obsession with playing the national anthem before every Round 1 game was nothing short of “over the top.”
Nonetheless, the anthem was played so the onus is on all of us – especially those the paying public have gone to see – to participate in its singing.
No I don’t want to turn every AFL game into a hand on heart, American-style exercise in patriotism, but I do think all Aussies need to stop, listen and participate when our national song is played.
Some indigenous players may choose the moment to make a political statement by not participating, and that is perhaps the only instance that could be interpreted as acceptable.
For those who are not making a statement, standing and looking uncomfortable next to your team mates for a minute or so when you should be participating in a display of national pride, makes it all that much worse.
Do they think that we, their adoring public and paying AFL ticket buyers might laugh at them? It would simply never happen.
Anyone who has ever seen the way the Wallabies sing Advance Australia Fair would never laugh, snigger or even crack a wry smile.
Sure, the Wallabies are playing for Australia and the anthem is in effect their club song, but most AFL players are Aussies or adopted Aussies too.
No, we’re not asking for a sparkling rendition of the second verse (because let’s face it, most of us don’t know the words to verse two) but for heaven’s sake you could at least move your lips and pretend that you’re singing.
Whatever the excuse, it doesn’t matter. No excuse can be acceptable enough to allow the AFL players to get away with this affront.
The AFL should make it mandatory for all players to participate vocally in this simple practice and players from all teams, this ANZAC Day round, why don’t you reconsider your blank stares and sing one for the diggers.
Kristy Copley
Roar Rookie
Stewie I think that is absolutely brilliant. Love Adam Hills and love the fact that you lightened the tone.
Neil
Guest
If Kristy is offended about people who don't sing a long with the national anthem, then what about people who stay seated? Does she also find that offensive too? I wonder?
Disco
Roar Guru
Nationalism? Pah.
Disco
Roar Guru
Australia is actually a deeply conservative country.
Disco
Roar Guru
Indeed. It's the anthem that's offensive.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Nothing wrong with playing the national anthem before all international sporting events and also playing it on other important occasions, e.g. ANZAC Day, Opening round, Grand Final. Save it for these special occasions. In VFL days I remember the national anthm being played at every Sydney Swans home game. I was glad when they stopped it. 2nd verse Beneath our radiant southern cross we toil with hearts and hands To make ths Commonwealth of ours renowned of all the lands For those who've come acoss the seas We've boundless plains to share With courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair I knew most of the words but will admit to looking up the exact words.
Australian Rules
Guest
The Australian national anthem sung at the opening of Australia's biggest national football competition? How odd...
Bayman
Guest
I confess I would be happy if I never heard the anthem again at a football match, a cricket match, a soccer match or indeed any sporting event. Who are these people who keep on putting up the idea that what the crowd really wants is to listen/sing to the national anthem? It's a sporting event, for God's sake. Not to mention the appalling nature of the song. I don't know anyone who is happy that their home is "girt by sea". Perhaps that is why the players don't sing the anthem. That and the fact it's irrelevant to a club footy game. All things considered I'd rather have the New Zealand anthem. Ours sounds like an advertising jingle.
Stewie
Guest
I bet people would belt it out if they kept the words, but changed the tune to "Working Class Man" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TNCf0cwJsY
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Wait...why is acceptable for indigienous people to not sing the national anthem? If it's "compulsory" for white Australians to then why would it be okay for indigenous Australians not to?
Gippy
Guest
The total disrespect shown by AFL players when the national anthem is played only reinforces my belief that their IQ is equal to their boot size. I agree that the Grand Final is an appropriate event for the anthem (I don't mind being girt), but so too is ANZAC Day. Yes, the Diggers used _God Save the Queen_ (originally written France to celebrate Louis XIV's recovery from piles -- true!), but we now have something more appropriate. The second verse is better, if you are able to ignore our dismal response to asylum seekers. But to stand there looking bored makes me cringe and turn over to an NRL game. There is no excuse for either ignorance or bad manners. Someone please insert a boot where most good will ensue.
Garcia
Guest
Australia Day is now the bastion of ‘creepy’ nationalism' in this nation.
Grandpa Pig
Guest
Call me old fashioned, but I tend to agree with the article. It's not a question of whether we play the anthem too much at sporting events, it's more about pride in the national song. I think it's a sign of the times that players and people in the crowd don't sing it. I do, always have and always will. We were taught it at school in the 70s and 80s. Maybe that is something that doesn't happen these days. I don't think it's disrespectful not to sing along but it's nice to see people showing pride outwardly of our nation.
Knoxy
Guest
What's the big deal if they don't sing? It's not as though the crowd is shouting it out loud with pride. I admit I do sing along when it's played but it's no more than a murmur. I agree with the above posters that the anthem is overused at football games. I can understand it being played on Anzac Day and Grand Final day, but playing it at every game in round one was just silly.
AdamS
Roar Guru
What an odd article. Would probably get a better run in Woman's Day. They don't know the words? Nobody knows the words. Or what "Girt" means... It's a silly song, a terrible Anthem and doesn't belong at a domestic football match.
Stavros
Guest
What a stupid response. The national anthem can be sung on a lot of occasions. Soccer tragics like you shouldn't be deciding when we can and can't sing it.
vocans
Guest
dean, I reckon there's plenty of 'creepy' nationalism going around, but, thank God, a good deal of Aussie scepticism as well.
vocans
Guest
The anthem should be played only at very significant events. Although we might think weekend footy is crucial, it's not anthem material. The Grand Final is another matter.
dean
Guest
I've always thought one of the better aspects of Australian culture, was a healthy disrespect of authority. What you're demanding runs completely counter to the true Australian spirit of non-conformance. I like that Australian doesn't engage in the creepy patriotism like most other countries, let's keep it that way.
Titus
Guest
The national anthem is for national teams........close thread.