Advertisement

AFL legend condemns banner scrapping idea

Yahoo Sport Australia

An AFL great has blasted a controversial suggestion to scrap the tradition of clubs displaying banners before matches.

AFL Footy Show host Rebecca Maddern created a storm last week when she floated the idea of getting rid of the tradition pre-game banner ritual.

'NON-SENSICAL DRIVEL': Carlton bagged over bizarre banner

"Don't you think it's maybe time we don't have the banners?" Maddern said.

"No, hear me out. Everything in the game has become very professional and to start the game we run through a bit of crepe paper that costs $2.50. It's time we get rid of the banners."

Co-host Sam Newman echoed Maddern's thoughts and said officials should even take it one step further.

"For the first time since you've been on this show, I agree with you," Newman said.

"If you talk about nonsense in this game, give away the banners - they're ridiculous."

"Stop the players going on the ground before warm-up. The first time the players come on to the ground is at the start of the game - no banners, nothing."

The Western Bulldogs are renowned for their funny banners. Pic: Twitter
The Western Bulldogs are renowned for their funny banners. Pic: Twitter

Now AFL legend and Channel 7 expert Tim Watson has fired back, claiming Maddern and Newman are out of touch with what's important to many fans.

"I nearly fell off my velvet ottoman," Watson said on Talking Footy.

"I couldn't believe my eyes ... no place for it? There are peculiarities of our game that make it unique, one small thing is the players run through a banner to enter the arena.

Watson has fired back over Maddern's banner idea. Pic: Ch7/Ch9
Watson has fired back over Maddern's banner idea. Pic: Ch7/Ch9

"That banner is made by men and women, young and old, who find purpose, pleasure and a sense of belonging by presenting that banner.

"Yes, it's made out of cheap crepe paper. Yes, they sometimes get the spelling wrong. Yes, the wind blows them over occasionally ... but it's a feature of our great game that should be preserved forever."

Watson's sentiments were echoed by plenty of supporters on social media.

Maddern responded to the fan fury but stopped short of backtracking on her contentious proposal.

Check out some of these beauties and tell us you wouldn't miss this humour if banners were done away with.