Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin has hit out at the AFL in a new Welcome to Country storm.
The senior Indigenous elder says she was snubbed by league executives including Gillon McLachlan during a pre-game function before Dreamtime at the ‘G on Saturday night.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aunty Joy hits out at the AFL for Welcome to Country snub.
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She played a powerful role at the post-game presentation, but it was her pre-game involvement that has rocked the AFL.
Aunty Joy is furious not enough AFL executives were at Essendon’s pre-game function, where she delivered the Welcome to Country.
“I was shocked,” she told 7NEWS.
“It broke my heart because I want to see that people who are leading the AFL, who are leading all of this, should be there honouring particularly traditional owners.”
7NEWS understands Aunty Joy was overcome with emotion at the perceived snub, but witnesses say her outburst offended some guests, who left the room.
AFL commissioner Helen Milroy, who is also an Indigenous woman, gave an impromptu speech to calm Aunty Joy.
“There’s never ever just been three commissioners; it’s really crazy. Where is the genuine support for Dreamtime at the ‘G?” Joy added.
The AFL says at least three executives, Essendon bosses, and commissioners were all at the function. A number had also been at the Long Walk at the ‘G, so opted to stand at the back of the room so they didn’t interrupt Aunty Joy’s speech.
Incoming CEO Andrew Dillon was also at the game but was with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles during the speech.
Outgoing Boss Gill McLachlan was in Adelaide at a pre-arranged function for a good friend. He had already let Michael Long know he wouldn’t be at the Long Walk before the game.
But Joy was still left fuming, and she wasn’t alone.
“Everyone in our community that I spoke to, or spoke to me, has just been shattered to think that the people who profile this event were not there,” she told 7NEWS.
“We’ve gone back now; absolutely backwards.”
The AFL were reluctant to comment on Sunday.
However, sources have pointed out that it wasn’t really all about Aunty Joy on Saturday night; there’s a broader context, which is the Dreamtime celebration.
And it’s a national competition with Dreamtime games across the country. There were three commissioners at the MCG on Saturday night but other commissioners were at other games across the country.
Aunty Joy caused headlines during Barack Obama’s Melbourne tour last month when organisers cancelled her Welcome To Country speech after she asked to bring a support person up on stage. Tour organisers later apologised over the incident.
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