Melbourne Storm issues public apology months after Welcome to Country drama

7NEWS

04-08-2025

The Melbourne Storm have issued a public apology to First Nations and Māori and Pasifika communities, three months after a botched pre-match build-up to their Anzac Day clash against South Sydney.
Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy was set to perform a Welcome to Country at AAMI Park on the night of April 25 before being told by the Storm she was no longer required.
The club later reversed its decision and apologised to the revered Indigenous elder, but the damage was already done, with Aunty Joy no longer willing to conduct the ceremony.
Now, on the eve of the NRL's Indigenous round, more than three months after the Anzac Day incident, the club has issued a formal public apology.
'Melbourne Storm has been in ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community following the events on Anzac Day and has apologised to the individuals, groups, and communities involved,' a statement reads.
'The club extends that apology to First Nations and Māori and Pasifika communities impacted.
'As we continue to engage with the local community regarding connection to the club and cultural protocols and out of respect for those involved, the club will recognise the traditional owners of the land through an acknowledgement of country on Thursday night for Indigenous round.
'Indigenous Round presents the opportunity to not only honour the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who have worn the purple jersey, but also the club's commitment to creating an environment that respects and celebrates First Nations cultures — not just during Indigenous round, but throughout the year.
'Melbourne Storm is built on the strength of our many cultures, including our long-standing relationship with First Nations and Māori and Pasifika communities and we remain committed to ensuring our social and community programs continue to make a positive impact.
'The club will share the story and design of its 2025 Indigenous Jersey this week.'
On the night, the Maori Ngā Mātai Pūrua and Djirri Djirri, a Wurundjeri female dance group, were on the ground rehearsing performances of their own when they were told of the initial decision on Aunty Joy, after which they refused to go ahead with their scheduled dance.
Aunty Joy and the dance groups were given no concrete explanation for the decision, other than to say it was a board decision.
'We were all just dumbfounded,' Aunty Joy said at the time.
After their apology to Aunty Joy, the Storm then engaged leaders from the two dance groups to try to salvage their planned contribution to the pre-match acknowledgements, but were denied.
'After being disrespected, we couldn't then go forward with a smile on our face and act,' Djirri Djirri lead dancer Ky-ya Nicholson Ward said.
Aunty Joy said it was upsetting for everyone involved.
'We would dearly love to be out there, but they've broken our hearts,' she said.
'We want to rebuild our relationship. We want to make them realise that this was wrong, hurtful, deceitful and tokenistic. But we want to help look after our communities in the NRL and the current players for Storm too.'
Booing and heckling rang out across the Shrine of Remembrance during the Welcome to Country that preceded Melbourne's showpiece dawn service earlier that morning on Anzac Day.
Jacob Hersant, a self-declared neo-Nazi and the first person in Victoria to be convicted of performing the Nazi salute, was seen being led away from the shrine by police after the protest.