Radio hosts slams AFL's ANZAC tradition: 'It loses its value'
- Replies 54
During a time when Australians and New Zealanders reflect on the sacrifices made by the ANZAC service members, the Australian Football League (AFL) honoured this solemn day with its own traditions.
However, not everyone is in agreement about the way the AFL handled the tributes, with some accusing the league of turning a moment of respect into a mere spectacle.
Brisbane's Triple M Breakfast radio host Greg 'Marto' Martin voiced a strong opinion against the AFL's Anzac Day practices.
He particularly criticised the use of The Last Post—a bugle call played at military funerals and commemorative services—as a pre-game ritual for all matches during the ANZAC round.
‘Football has now turned (The Last Post) into a gimmick,’ he said.
The Last Post, a haunting melody that resonates with deep emotional significance, is traditionally associated with ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
It is a time for silence, reflection, and honouring those who have served and sacrificed.
Martin recalled the powerful impact of this ritual when it was first introduced in 1995 for the ANZAC Day clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where a crowd of 97,000 would stand in respectful silence.
‘But now what’s happened, as football always does, and I’m not just talking AFL, I’m talking rugby league as well, they’ve taken a wonderful thing, and they’ve gone, “Oh that’s good ... (how do we capitalise?”)’ he expressed.
Martin argued that what was once a poignant tribute has now become overused to the point of inducing 'bugle fatigue' among fans.
‘So what’s going to happen this week in all (nine) games of the AFL and all eight games of the rugby league…every single one of them will play (The Last Post), and you’ll get ANZAC (or) you’ll get bugle fatigue,’ Martin said.
‘We have to stop it somewhere.’
His co-host, Margaux Parker, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the over-saturation of the tribute lessens its value and turns it into a mockery.
‘It gets saturated, so it loses its value,’ Parker stated.
The backlash against Martin and Parker's views has been swift and severe, with some social media users accusing them of disrespecting Australia and questioning their patriotism.
‘Surely they can’t go any lower than that. That’s disgusting,’ a social media user wrote.
‘These people really hate Australia, don’t they?!’ another posted.
A third person asked: ‘Tell me this is a joke! The AFL cannot axe this!’
The AFL, for its part, maintained that ANZAC Day is one of the nation's most important national occasions and encouraged fans to participate in the pre-match formalities.
Several clubs have even embraced the tradition by wearing ANZAC-themed jumpers, with plans to auction them off and donate the proceeds to The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), an organisation supporting veterans.
Additionally, the league encouraged fans to arrive early to ‘soak up the atmosphere and pre-match formalities that will no doubt be another moving tribute to the sacrifices of our past and present service men and women’.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this matter. How do you feel about the AFL's ANZAC Day tribute? What's your take on the radio hosts' criticism? Let us know in the comments below.
However, not everyone is in agreement about the way the AFL handled the tributes, with some accusing the league of turning a moment of respect into a mere spectacle.
Brisbane's Triple M Breakfast radio host Greg 'Marto' Martin voiced a strong opinion against the AFL's Anzac Day practices.
He particularly criticised the use of The Last Post—a bugle call played at military funerals and commemorative services—as a pre-game ritual for all matches during the ANZAC round.
Greg Martin slammed AFL’s use of The Last Post on ANZAC Day. Image source: AFL/ Facebook
‘Football has now turned (The Last Post) into a gimmick,’ he said.
The Last Post, a haunting melody that resonates with deep emotional significance, is traditionally associated with ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
It is a time for silence, reflection, and honouring those who have served and sacrificed.
Martin recalled the powerful impact of this ritual when it was first introduced in 1995 for the ANZAC Day clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where a crowd of 97,000 would stand in respectful silence.
‘But now what’s happened, as football always does, and I’m not just talking AFL, I’m talking rugby league as well, they’ve taken a wonderful thing, and they’ve gone, “Oh that’s good ... (how do we capitalise?”)’ he expressed.
Martin argued that what was once a poignant tribute has now become overused to the point of inducing 'bugle fatigue' among fans.
‘So what’s going to happen this week in all (nine) games of the AFL and all eight games of the rugby league…every single one of them will play (The Last Post), and you’ll get ANZAC (or) you’ll get bugle fatigue,’ Martin said.
‘We have to stop it somewhere.’
His co-host, Margaux Parker, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the over-saturation of the tribute lessens its value and turns it into a mockery.
‘It gets saturated, so it loses its value,’ Parker stated.
The backlash against Martin and Parker's views has been swift and severe, with some social media users accusing them of disrespecting Australia and questioning their patriotism.
‘Surely they can’t go any lower than that. That’s disgusting,’ a social media user wrote.
‘These people really hate Australia, don’t they?!’ another posted.
A third person asked: ‘Tell me this is a joke! The AFL cannot axe this!’
The AFL, for its part, maintained that ANZAC Day is one of the nation's most important national occasions and encouraged fans to participate in the pre-match formalities.
Several clubs have even embraced the tradition by wearing ANZAC-themed jumpers, with plans to auction them off and donate the proceeds to The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL), an organisation supporting veterans.
Additionally, the league encouraged fans to arrive early to ‘soak up the atmosphere and pre-match formalities that will no doubt be another moving tribute to the sacrifices of our past and present service men and women’.
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