North Melbourne’s landmark centenary celebration has been hit by controversy, with several key figures from the club’s 1975 premiership team reportedly planning to boycott the event due to the inclusion of last year’s AFLW champions in the festivities.
Set to take place next Thursday night during the Kangaroos' clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, the club planned to honour both the 50th anniversary of its first VFL flag and the 2023 AFLW premiership, a dual celebration that hasn’t gone down well with everyone.
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Sam Kekovich and Grand Final standout John Burns are among those expected to skip the occasion.
Tensions rise over shared spotlight
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph explained the standoff.
“Sonja Hood has tried and failed to convince Sam to try change his decision ... but he’s just not interested in that,” Ralph said. “His stance is he feels the club attitude is representative of a club that doesn’t revel in the ‘Shinboner’ history.”
Ralph added that some former players were frustrated by having to share the stage. “They feel like... not that their (achievements) were of a bigger quality than that, but (males) versus females. It’s a challenging perspective.”
Lauren Wood, also from the Herald Sun, labelled the boycott “ridiculous”, noting, “It’s actually not a premiership reunion. It’s a centenary event... and this was the first AFLW premiership that the club won — and it was a really significant occasion.”
Only Greg Miller, the club’s patron, is expected to attend, among former CEOs, with several prominent figures left off the invitation list entirely.