Eddie McGuire says AFL booing 'has to stop' after Anzac controversy

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the booing of AFL players is something fans ‘have to stop’ after Magpies star Scott Pendlebury was greeted by a chorus of jeers for winning the Anzac Medal.

Controversial umpiring decisions in the dying moments of Collingwood’s thrilling four-point victory over Essendon drew the ire of Bombers fans, who booed Pendlebury when he accepted his medal for being best on ground.

Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley chided detractors when he gave a brief post-game speech at the MCG.

“Shame on anyone that booed a champion,” he said.

McGuire would later back up his coach when he appeared on Fox Footy after the game.

With boos directed at Geelong’s Gary Ablett still fresh in his mind, the outspoken media identity said it was “time to get past this booing thing”.

“I think the Bombers were so pent up at the end of the game that they were going to boo anything,” McGuire said.

“I don’t think it was personal at Bucks, I don’t think it was personal at Pendles. I don’t think it was personal at the Collingwood Football Club.

“I think it was just pent up emotion. We have to stop it though.

“Because what happened to Gary, what happened to Adam Goodes, we don’t need that stuff.”

McGuire said he hoped the controversy wouldn’t overshadow what had been a thrilling match-up between the two fierce rivals.

“Let’s not hang them for it. The day was too good to worry about the last bit,” he said.

“I am not trying to let anyone off the hook. Let’s not go silly about it.

“Let’s learn from this. Let’s cheer the champions.

“You know what’s great about our game? I was up with the Essendon people and we were at each other, we were yelling and screaming all day. At the end of it, we all hugged each other.”