Anthony Albanese was a clear target at Saturday’s North Melbourne grand final breakfast – and the Prime Minister then ensured long-suffering Kangaroos fans won’t be happy following a ruthless dig at their team during his speech.
Seconds after Albanese walked into the room, the MC introduced the nation’s leader, cheekily stating: ‘with the cost of living rising, no one is keener for a free breakfast than Australia’s Prime Minister.’
The jibe was accompanied with the song I Need a Dollar by US rapper Aloe Blacc.
Next was Albanese’s turn to lighten the mood – and he seized the opportunity.
‘It is great to be back here at the North Melbourne grand final breakfast, one of the day’s very special traditions,’ he told the crowd.
‘And so far this century, the only way to get North Melbourne and grand final into the same sentence!’
It comes as Alastair Clarkson’s men finished 17th this season, chalking up just three wins from 23 matches.
They were spared the wooden spoon, with that ‘honour’ going to Richmond.
Anthony Albanese was a clear target at Saturday’s AFL grand final breakfast – and the Prime Minister (pictured) responded with a ruthless dig at one club which their fans would have absolutely hated
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was decked out in a Lions scarf, (pictured) making no secret of who he is barracking for at the MCG
Meanwhile, AFL high-flyers and other political leaders piled on the zingers as footy festivities kicked off early at the annual grand final breakfast.
Close to 1400 people packed the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on the banks of the Yarra River for the ultra-exclusive event, with hospitality packages starting from $1700.
The jovial tone was set early as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon entered the room to the soundtrack of Paul Kelly’s Dumb Things – and fellow official Laura Kane was welcomed by I’m Out of Touch, a light-hearted reference to fixturing and umpiring controversies throughout the season.
Following the good-natured ribbing of Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton referenced the eye-watering cost of flights into Melbourne as he congratulated his Lions and the Sydney Swans on making it to the first all-interstate AFL decider since 2006.
It came as he was decked out in a Lions scarf, making no secret of who is barracking for in the big dance.
‘Let’s face it, there really are two winners today, Qantas and Virgin,’ Dutton said.
He offered his commiserations to Geelong for missing out on a ticket to the decider after losing a blockbuster preliminary final by 10 points to Brisbane.
‘Cats supporters, fear not – as was pointed out before, there is a federal election coming up so Kardinia Park will be in line for another taxpayer-funded upgrade I’m sure,’ he joked.
Former stars of the game including Eddie Betts (pictured), Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo and Gerard Healy were also in attendance at the breakfast
Australian rock band Eskimo Joe (pictured) rounded out the event with a performance of their smash hit Black Fingernails, Red Wine
Albanese tipped the Swans to win by 20 points with Isaac Heeney taking out the Norm Smith Medal, while Dutton predicted it would be the Lions by 10 and Lachie Neale would earn the top individual honour.
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood joined in the banter, describing herself and the two political leaders as all ‘trying desperately hard to turn around an underperforming organisation’.
Dr Hood joked the PM had gone for a reshuffle while both she and the Opposition Leader had bound their futures to a ‘powerful yet volatile energy source’.
‘For Mr Dutton, it’s nuclear fission, for me, it’s Alastair Clarkson,’ she said, referencing the club’s senior coach.
‘Let’s hope yours is less explosive than mine has been.’
Victorian deputy premier Ben Carroll, Aussie Test cricketer Scott Boland, business heavyweights and other VIPs were among the audience.
AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder also made an appearance on stage, as well as former stars of the game including Eddie Betts, Dermott Brereton, Nick Dal Santo and Gerard Healy.
Australian rock band Eskimo Joe rounded out the event with a performance of their hit Black Fingernails, Red Wine.
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