** Decision reversed** NRL BANS Australian National Anthem at Origin

[Dawgfather]

NRL backflips on Australian national anthem ban at State of Origin

The decision came after several players ignited controversy last year by refusing to sing Advance Australia Fair.

7news.com.au

The only reason they are banning the anthem is because they know a few entitled trouble makers like Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker would likely take a knee during the anthem - something which none of the NRL execs want to have to manage when it happens.

This makes me want to give up my support for league.

 

[Psycho Doggie]

Whatevs.

 

[Mitch Connor]

Honestly doesn’t bother me

 

[Dannyboi88]

If they take a fucking knee they can hand back there fee and there jersey.
The games a business that generates revenue not a sounding board for everyone’s problems
There is more pride in origin then any sport in this country
I know cause a lot of my work mates are afl lovers and they all love SOO cause of the pride in the game

 

[Flanagun]

This is awful news. How will I know when to take my pre game pee break now?

Seriously, who gives a shit?

 

[Freakzilla]

It's idiotic to have the national anthem when it's Aussies playing against each other. It should only be played when we're playing other countries.

Also it wasn't banned, it was just removed.

 

[Dawgfather]

Depends whether you think it's important to come together with a common unifying theme celebrating everything that is great about Australia at important occasions rather than having political things tearing them apart..

 

[Psycho Doggie]

Depends whether you think it's important to come together with a common unifying theme celebrating everything that is great about Australia at important occasions rather than having political things tearing them apart..

So... mandatory non-essential activities are unifying... interesting...

 

[Berries]

Yuck, a minority who are wrong mind you get something that represents 25 million people banned. Won’t be watching the series now

 

[Dawgfather]

It goes to show that a very tiny minority of trouble makers can scare very well paid executives into avoiding situations which might lead to controversy.

How many well paid aboriginal players complained about the anthem last year? I think it might have been 3 or 4.

Clearly it only takes 3 or 4 trouble makers to get an entire sporting league to make decisions like this.

 

[Como Dog]

Extremely dissappointed, political correctness rears it's ugly head again. It was always a special moment being at a grand final or an origin game and having almost everyone in the crowd sing the anthem out loud.

 

[Berries]

Is the welcome to country going ahead? I mean that’s pretty offensive to me having some 2% abo tell me he gives me permission to enter a piece of land

 

[coach]

Soft cocks

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Just here for the comments

 

[2144superman]

With all due respect, it’s not a international game. It’s literally state v state.
if it was Australia v ANYONE you’d have a national anthem play .. but why are we worked up over them not doing for a state game where both teams are Australian

 

[Precise]

This is just the first step to ease us into removing it completely.

Fuck this deadshit game and the admins in control of it. Weak as fucking piss, hope ratings dive off a cliff like NFL.

 

[Como Dog]

Is the welcome to country going ahead? I mean that’s pretty offensive to me having some 2% abo tell me he gives me permission to enter a piece of land

That's a fair question if they're avoiding the anthem, would be quite hypocritical. Happy for Welcome to Country to go ahead as it provides acknowledgement, but only if the anthem is also included.

 

[Como Dog]

With all due respect, it’s not a international game. It’s literally state v state.
if it was Australia v ANYONE you’d have a national anthem play .. but why are we worked up over them not doing for a state game where both teams are Australian

Only because its always been a tradition to play it before the big games even if the Australian team isn't playing. The only reason they've decided not to do this is fear of a reaction.

 

[2144superman]

Only because its always been a tradition to play it before the big games even if the Australian team isn't playing.

Fair enough, they’ve never played the Anthem before a Grand final or a City v Country game so I just don’t see why we need to be so fuelled up if it’s not played before a Origin game.

 

[Como Dog]

Fair enough, they’ve never played the Anthem before a Grand final or a City v Country game so I just don’t see why we need to be so fuelled up if it’s not played before a Origin game.

I've been to about 10 grand finals and it was played, plus they always brought in famous singers to sing it on grand final day as it's a massive TV opportunity for the singer.

City country don't know, but wouldn't say that is a big occasion in terms of crowd.