Anthony Albanese was a clear target at Saturday’s grand final breakfast in North Melbourne, and the Prime Minister then made sure long-suffering Kangaroos fans were not happy after a merciless criticism of their team during his speech.
Seconds after Albanese entered the room, the MC introduced the nation’s leader and cheekily stated: “with the cost of living rising, no one is more interested in a free breakfast than the Prime Minister of Australia.”
The mockery was accompanied with song. I need a dollar by American rapper Aloe Blacc.
Then it was Albanese’s turn to lighten the mood and he took advantage of the opportunity.
“It’s great to be back here for North Melbourne’s grand final breakfast, one of the most special traditions of the day,” he told the crowd.
‘And so far this century, the only way to put North Melbourne and the grand final in the same sentence!’
It comes as Alastair Clarkson’s men finished 17th this season, claiming just three wins from 23 matches.
They were saved from the wooden spoon and that “honor” went to Richmond.
Anthony Albanese was a clear target at Saturday’s AFL grand final breakfast, and the Prime Minister (pictured) responded with a vicious attack on a club their fans would have absolutely hated.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was wearing a Lions scarf and (pictured) makes no secret of who he is defending for at the MCG.
Meanwhile, AFL high-flyers and other political leaders joined in the gossip as football festivities began early at the annual grand finale breakfast.
Nearly 1,400 people packed the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, on the banks of the Yarra River, for the ultra-exclusive event, with hospitality packages starting at $1,700.
The jovial tone was set early on when AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon entered the room to a Paul Kelly soundtrack. Silly things – and his colleague Laura Kane were received by I’m out of toucha light-hearted reference to the fixing and officiating controversies throughout the season.
Following Albanese’s good-natured banter, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton referenced the exorbitant cost of flights to Melbourne as he congratulated his Lions and the Sydney Swans on reaching the first fully interstate AFL decider since 2006.
It came while he was decked out in a Lions scarf, making no secret of who he is defending at the big dance.
“Let’s face it, there really are two winners today, Qantas and Virgin,” Dutton said.
He offered his condolences to Geelong for missing out on a finals berth after losing a blockbuster preliminary final by 10 points to Brisbane.
“Cat supporters, fear not; as noted above, there is a federal election coming up, so Kardinia Park will be in line for another taxpayer-funded upgrade, I’m sure,” he joked.
Former stars of the game including Eddie Betts (pictured), Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo and Gerard Healy also attended the breakfast.
Australian rock band Eskimo Joe (pictured) rounded out the event with a performance of their smash hit Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
Albanese gave the Swans a lead to win by 20 points with Isaac Heeney taking the Norm Smith medal, while Dutton predicted it would be the Lions by 10 and Lachie Neale winning the top individual honour.
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood joined in the banter, describing herself and the two political leaders as “desperately trying to turn around an underperforming organisation”.
Dr Hood joked that the Prime Minister had opted for a reshuffle while both she and the opposition leader had tied their futures to a “powerful but volatile energy source”.
“For Mr Dutton, it’s nuclear fission, for me, it’s Alastair Clarkson,” he said, referring to the club’s head coach.
“Hopefully yours is less explosive than mine.”
Among the audience were Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Australian cricketer Scott Boland, business heavyweights and other VIPs.
AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder also appeared on stage, as well as former stars of the game including Eddie Betts, Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo and Gerard Healy.
Australian rock band Eskimo Joe rounded out the event with a performance of their Black Fingernails hit, Red Wine.
