Anthony Albanese has been criticized by furious Australians for his surprise post-match appearance in the Hawthorn AFL club’s dressing room.
The premier was filmed standing alongside Hawks players belting out the club’s team song following their big win against St Kilda at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday.
Television cameras focused on the Labor leader proudly sporting a Hawks scarf as players called on him to join the post-match celebrations.
While the players seemed to take Albanese’s appearance in stride, many Australians were less than impressed.
Albanese later shared a collage of photographs from his afternoon at football, sparking outrage when voters asked him to focus his attention on Australia’s pressing cost of living crisis ahead of Tuesday night’s federal budget. .
Anthony Albanese (pictured) joined in to sing the Hawthorn team song following their victory against St Kilda on Saturday.
“People are struggling to pay the bills and this guy is talking about football,” one fumed.
“The last time you were in Tassie, I remember they interrupted you: ‘let’s talk about housing, Prime Minister’ and you couldn’t get away fast enough. It’s gotten worse since then and here you are, back in selfie mode. God, you’re not inspiring.” said another.
A third wrote: ‘Your priorities suck!’
Albanese’s visit followed a controversial announcement earlier this year in which the federal government pledged $65 million to expand the stadium.
The decision followed an identical commitment from the Tasmanian Government in January, which brought total funding for the stadium expansion to $130 million.
The Tasmanian Devils will enter the AFL as the 19th team in 2028.
Albanese said of his weekend trip: ‘Tasmanians love football. You could feel the energy in Launceston today.
‘It’s part of why I’m so proud that we’re helping to improve the UTAS stadium in Launceston.
“A big win for the Hawks today.”
Albanese is a casual observer of the AFL, unlike the NRL where he is a die-hard South Sydney Rabbitohs tragic.
Angry voters told Albanese (centre) to focus on the cost of living crisis instead of football.
Channel Nine personality Tony Jones (pictured) said of the photos: ‘Albo, you’re not an AFL fan. Stay away’
Channel Nine personality Tony Jones joined the outrage train on The Sunday Footy Show.
“I almost got sick yesterday when I watched the Hawthorn Club song and front and center was the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,” he said.
‘He has no interest in the AFL. And there he was…he had the scarf around him…just go away.
“Seriously, when will prime ministers learn to stay in their lane and that’s normally in the House of Representatives?”
Jones summed up: ‘Albo, you’re not an AFL fan. Stay away.’