AFL great takes issue with 'inappropriate' Anzac Day act

AFL legend Leigh Matthews has described the Anzac Day performance of Lime Cordiale at the MCG as "inappropriate" after taking issue with the way the Aussie band was dressed.

The Sydney rock-pop duo were part of the AFL's Anzac Day pre-game schedule at the MCG, for the traditional fixture between Collingwood and Essendon.

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In front of 84,205 fans - the largest AFL crowd since the 2019 grand final because of the global pandemic - 19-year-old Jack Ginnivan starred in Collingwood's 15.3 (93) to 12.10 (82) victory.

Before the contest got underway though, fans paid their respects to Anzac servicemen and women, with a motorcade of veterans making their way around the ground before the first bounce.

Following the procession, Lime Cordiale played a number of songs before the MCG went silent for a rendition of The Last Post and to commemorate all those who have served the country with honour.

Speaking on 3AW’s Sportsday on Tuesday, Matthews said the inclusion of the "flamboyantly dressed rock band" looked out of place and should not have been included as part of the Anzac Day schedule.

“The only downer for me, seriously – there was the pre-game,” Matthews said.

“We think the pre-game, well that’s the event part of it (because) it’s just a game once the siren sounds and they bounce the ball.

“They did the motorcade of all the ex-service people and just automatically and instinctively the crowd just stand up and applaud. It’s just a fantastic thing, the acknowledgment the crowd has.

“Then that finished and then in the 10 or 15 minutes before they went into the rest of the Anzac ceremony, they put in a rock band.

“It just seems so inappropriate — wrong place and wrong time — to have a rock band, a flamboyantly dressed rock band, belting out two or three tunes for that intervening 10 or 15 minutes."

Veteran radio host Neil Mitchell said he “didn’t mind" the band's performance but agreed that they perhaps weren't the right fit for the occasion.

“Why have a group like that on Anzac Day? Why not have some songs from the times? Why not some World War II or World War I songs even?” Mitchell said on 3AW.

“The AFL did a great job but they got it wrong with Lime Cordiale.

“As good as they are, it wasn’t the time or place.”

Booing overshadows Anzac Day clash

Collingwood's win in the Anzac Day clash was somewhat overshadowed by the controversial issue of booing after Pies young gun Ginnivan copped some poor treatment from Essendon fans after the game.

Ginnivan's five-goal effort helped the Magpies seal the 11-point win and earned him the Anzac Day Medal as best on ground.

However the decision to give the medal to Ginnivan didn't go down well with some Essendon supporters, who booed the teenager when he was named.

Numerous Bombers fans had earlier been seen giving Ginnivan the middle finger after he kicked the opening goal and gestured for them to be quiet.

"Listen to the disgraceful, disgusting Essendon fans booing a kid on a day like today," one fan wrote on Twitter.

Another wrote: "Shame on Essendon supporters for booing a flamboyant rising champion."

While a third added: "Booing the winner of the Anzac Medal? All class, Essendon supporters."

It evoked memories of the 2019 Anzac Day game when Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury was booed after winning the medal.

Pies coach Nathan Buckley famously said after the game: "Shame on anyone who booed a champion."

with agencies

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