The national anthem went off without a hitch at the Australian Football League Grand Final

Calls to emulate Kaepernick went unheeded

OBVIOUSLY no one was listening to Anthony Mundine. The former NRL star-cum-boxer wanted players and fans to boycott the national anthems at this weekend’s AFL and NRL Grand Finals to protest against Australia’s “ignorant” attitude towards Aborigines.

“Been saying this for years!” Mundine wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday. “The anthem was written in late 1700s where blackfullas (sic) were considered fauna (animals) Advance Australia Fair as in white not fair as in fair go ...

“All players aboriginal & non aboriginal should boycott the anthem & start changing Australia’s ignorant mentality. “Lets move forward together yo.”

The proposal was rejected by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said: “Everyone should sing. Those like myself who perhaps are not the best singers should perhaps sing quietly so as not to ruin the experience for neighbours, but everyone should sing and everyone should be proud about our country and the fact that we can come together with sport.”

Swans forward Buddy Franklin rubbished the idea as “stupid” and television personality Karl Stefanovic thought it was “ridiculous”.

It came after NRL greats Larry Corowa and Joe Williams publicly called on players to “send a powerful message to white Australia” when Advance Australia Fair is played before the rugby league Grand Final at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

But Mundine’s wish went unheeded, as the anthem went off without a hitch at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The players put their arms around each other’s shoulders and the crowd was respectful.

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