- Football fans were not happy to see Anthony Albanese
- Prime Minister Appointed NRL’s 14th Immortal
- Albanian was quickly trashed on social media
Football fans have slammed Anthony Albanese after he took the spotlight at the NRL Hall of Fame gala in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister had to endure an embarrassing moment on stage before eventually announcing Rabbitohs and Roosters legend Ron Coote as the code’s 14th Immortal.
A frozen autocue left ‘Albo’ red-faced before he finally confirmed that Coote was the newest member of rugby league’s most exclusive club.
Coote was also admitted earlier than expected as Albanese had to return to Canberra quickly and could not stay at the Sydney Cricket Ground all evening.
This meant that the Immortal’s initiation took place in the middle of the night, rather than coming to the forefront at the end.
Despite Albanese’s dedication to making the biggest announcement of the night, the Rabbitohs’ tragic event was fiercely criticised by frustrated football fans on social media.
“Why is Albo even there? Politics has nothing to do with sport. I can’t wait to see $600 million dollars go to PNG,” fumed one supporter, referring to speculation that the federal government is looking to spend a huge amount of money to get a Papua New Guinean team into the NRL.
Another message on X: ‘Congratulations Ron. [But] Why are you letting that clown do the announcing? Thanks NRL, you really blew it tonight.’
A third said, ‘Imagine finally being made an Immortal and this goose initiating you.’
Premier Anthony Albanese congratulates Ron Coote after he was announced as rugby league’s 14th immortal
Albanese (center in photo) presented Coote with his individual award before rushing back to Canberra for more pressing matters
Football fans were not happy to see the Prime Minister at the gala evening
This supporter called Albanese a ‘clown’ before saying that ‘the NRL really made a mistake’
Another supporter remarked that ‘politics has nothing to do with sport’ before bluntly asking why the Prime Minister was present
A fourth commented that Albanian was partying on Tuesday, and now you’re partying AGAIN?
Some of us [people] can’t afford to eat [due to a cost of living crisis].
Meanwhile, Coote, 79, was thrilled to finally join such elite company after his successful career from 1964 to 1978.
Coote was previously shortlisted for the individual award, but was beaten by Andrew Johns (2012) and then Norm Provan and Mal Meninga (2018).
‘The Prime Minister came to me and said, ‘Well done, Ronnie. I said you were a moral [to be inducted]’, he said.
‘Every time they announced the Immortals I was caught up [over] So I thought it wouldn’t happen, but this time it did.
“I’m really proud to be in the top 13 best players to ever play the game.”
In addition to 257 championship appearances for the Rabbitohs and Roosters, he also represented Australia in 23 Tests and played 15 games for NSW.
Coote received a standing ovation as he walked to the stage to receive his coveted jacket.
After retiring due to an arm injury, Coote became one of the first McDonald’s franchisees in Australia, opening a restaurant in Newtown in Sydney’s west in 1978.