- Football fans were not happy to see Anthony Albanese
- The Prime Minister was named the 14th NRL Immortal
- Albanese was quickly attacked on social media.
Anthony Albanese was heavily criticised by football fans after he took centre stage at the NRL Hall of Fame gala night in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister endured an awkward moment on stage before finally announcing Rabbitohs and Roosters great Ron Coote as the code’s 14th Immortal.
A frozen teleprompter appeared to leave ‘Albo’ red-faced, before he eventually confirmed Coote was the latest member of rugby league’s most exclusive club.
Coote was also brought in earlier than expected as Albanese had to rush back to Canberra and was unable to stay for the full evening at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
That meant the Immortal’s induction happened in the middle of the night, rather than taking pride of place at the end.
Despite Albanese’s dedication to making the biggest announcement of the night, the Rabbitohs’ tragic incident was met with criticism from frustrated football fans on social media.
“Why the hell is Albo there? Politics has nothing to do with sport. I can’t wait to see $600 million go to Papua New Guinea,” fumed one supporter, referring to speculation that the federal government wants to spend a huge sum to get a Papua New Guinea team into the NRL.
Another posted on X: “Congratulations to Ron. (But) why let that clown make the announcement? Thanks NRL, you really screwed up tonight.”
A third chimed in: “Imagine finally being named Immortal and this goose introducing you.”
Premier Anthony Albanese congratulates Ron Coote after he was announced as rugby league’s 14th Immortal
Albanese (pictured middle) presented Coote with his individual award before rushing back to Canberra for more pressing matters.
Football fans were not happy to see the Prime Minister at the gala evening
The fan referred to Albanese as a “clown” before claiming “the NRL has really screwed up”.
Another supporter said “politics has nothing to do with sport” before bluntly questioning why the prime minister was present.
A fourth noted that Albanese “was partying on Tuesday, and you’re out AGAIN?”
‘Some of us can’t afford to eat (because of the cost of living crisis).’
Meanwhile, Coote, 79, was delighted to finally join such elite company after his decorated career from 1964 to 1978.
Coote had previously been shortlisted for the individual award but lost out to Andrew Johns (2012), Norm Provan and Mal Meninga (2018).
“The Prime Minister came up to me and said, ‘Good for you, Ronnie. I’ve been saying you’re a moral man (to be included),'” he said.
‘Every time they announced the Immortals, I was overlooked, so I thought this wasn’t going to happen, but this time it came true.
‘I feel very proud to think that I’m up there with the 13 best players who have ever played the game.’
In addition to 257 premiership matches for the Rabbitohs and Roosters, he also represented Australia in 23 tests and made 15 appearances for New South Wales.
Coote received a standing ovation as he walked onto the stage to receive his coveted jacket.
After retiring due to an arm injury, Coote became one of Australia’s first McDonald’s franchise owners, opening a restaurant in Newtown, in Sydney’s central west, in 1978.