Anthony Albanese gets a hilarious roasting at the annual AFL grand final breakfast – but fans of one footy team will NOT be happy with his speech
Anthony Albanese was a clear target at the grand final breakfast in North Melbourne on Saturday – and the Prime Minister then ensured long-suffering Kangaroos fans will not be happy after a brutal attack on their team during his speech.
Seconds after the Albanians entered the room, the MC introduced the country’s leader and said cheekily: “With the cost of living rising, no one is more keen on a free breakfast than the Prime Minister of Australia.”
The jibe was accompanied by the song I need a dollar by American rapper Aloe Blacc.
Then it was Albanese’s turn to lighten the mood – and he seized the opportunity.
“It’s great to be back here for the grand final breakfast in North Melbourne, one of the special traditions of the day,” he told the crowd.
‘And so far this century the only way to get North Melbourne and the Grand Final in the same sentence!’
It comes as Alastair Clarkson’s men finished in 17th place this season, with just three wins from 23 games.
They were spared the wooden spoon, and that ‘honor’ went to Richmond.
Anthony Albanese was a clear target at the AFL grand final breakfast on Saturday – and the Prime Minister (pictured) responded with a brutal attack on a club their fans would have absolutely hated
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wore a Lions scarf (pictured) and made no secret of who he is barracking for at the MCG
Meanwhile, AFL high-flyers and other political leaders piled on the zingers as the football festivities got off to an early start at the annual grand final breakfast.
Nearly 1,400 people packed the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center on the banks of the Yarra River for the ultra-exclusive event, with hospitality packages starting from $1,700.
The jovial tone was set early when AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon entered the room to the soundtrack of Paul Kelly Stupid things – and fellow official Laura Kane was welcomed by I’m out of contacta light-hearted reference to controversies surrounding the matches and referees during the season.
Following the Albanians’ good-natured criticism, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton referred to the eye-watering cost of flights to Melbourne as he congratulated his Lions and the Sydney Swans on reaching the first all-interstate AFL decider since 2006.
It came when he was decked out in a lion’s scarf, making no secret of who is barracking in the great dance.
“Let’s face it, there really are two winners today, Qantas and Virgin,” Dutton said.
He offered his condolences to Geelong for missing out on a ticket to the decider after losing a blockbuster preliminary final by 10 points to Brisbane.
“Cats supporters, have no fear – as previously noted, there’s 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 winning the Norm Smith Medal, while Dutton predicted it would be the Lions by 10 and Lachie Neale earning top individual honours.
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood joined in on the jokes, describing herself and the two political leaders as “all trying desperately to turn around an underperforming organisation.”
Dr. Hood joked that the prime minister had pushed through a reshuffle while both she and the opposition leader had tied their futures to a “powerful but volatile energy source.”
“For Mr Dutton it’s nuclear fission, for me it’s Alastair Clarkson,” she said, referring to the club’s senior coach.
“Let’s hope yours is less explosive than mine.”
The audience included Victorian Deputy Prime Minister Ben Carroll, Aussie Test cricketer Scott Boland, business heavyweights and other VIPs.
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder also appeared on stage, as did 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.