Why the SCG was EMPTY for Welcome to Country during the AFL's official Indigenous round commemorations
The SCG was virtually empty during the first quarter on Friday night when the Swans took on Carlton - and a ticketing mishap was to blame.
In embarrassing scenes for the AFL, local Elder Uncle Lloyd Walker performed the Welcome To Country - during the code's official Indigenous round commemorations - in front of next to no fans.
Walker then added to the saga by referring to the wrong footy code during the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
'On behalf of the traditional owners of Sydney, I welcome you all,' Walker said.
'I'd like to acknowledge one of our community members, Jordan Ardler, who designed the Swans jerseys tonight.
'On this special night, I'd also like pay tribute to our Indigenous NFL stars that are positive role models to our people.'
The faux pas wasn't missed by fans online, who took to X in bemusement.
'Wait, did he just say 'NFL stars'?' one asked. Another posted: 'Love our Indigenous NFL stars.'
Speaking on Channel 7, sports reporter Xander McGuire confirmed the chaos outside the ground before the first bounce at Moore Park.
'The SCG feels like it's only about half full right now and that's because everyone that's (outside) actually can't get in,' McGuire told viewers.
'From about 7.10pm onwards, the turnstiles outside the ground actually froze up and completely broke.
'So for about 20 minutes, people trying to scan their tickets couldn't get in.
'I've spoken to security, they think the lines got to about 200 metres long at every single gate outside. 'So they reverted back to the old days, doing manual ticket checks.
'People are literally streaming in and security are only looking at the tickets with a passing glance, hoping the tickets are completely legitimate.
'An incredible situation unfolding here at the SCG.'
Thankfully, a respectful moment of silence was staged for Carlton legend Robert Walls, who chose to die under euthanasia laws this week following a battle with an aggressive blood cancer.
On the field, the Swans recorded a much needed 16-point victory to stay in the hunt for the top eight.
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