Eddie McGuire criticises Giants and ‘politically correct’ AFL, calling it a ‘marketing tool’ during Cyclone Alfred.

Eddie McGuire has voiced his concerns regarding GWS and the AFL after the Giants maintained their pre-match “orange tsunami warning” tradition during their game on Sunday. He believes the practice should have been put on hold out of consideration for the victims of Cyclone Alfred and those affected by the severe tides.

At GWS home matches, it has become routine for a loud alarm to echo throughout the Engie Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, prompting Giants supporters to join in by stomping their feet.

According to Wide World of Sports, the Giants sought input from tsunami survivors before adopting the “orange tsunami warning” as a marketing strategy several years ago.

The term “orange tsunami” was initially created to encapsulate the Giants’ dynamic playing style, and it soon gained traction as a catchy metaphor.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, the pre-game ritual continued before the match against Collingwood, coinciding with the decision to postpone two other scheduled Opening Round games due to the natural disasters impacting areas in southern Queensland and northern NSW.

McGuire expressed his disapproval of the Giants and the AFL in the latest episode of Nine’s Eddie and Jimmy podcast, which he co-hosts with Geelong Cats legend Jimmy Bartel.

“I find it troubling… While I appreciate the marketing aspect, I thought it was rather inappropriate given there was a cyclone and tsunami warnings in effect. It just didn’t sit right with me,” McGuire commented.

“If we were to call it a ‘bushfire warning’, people would have a different reaction.”

“I understand the concept of the ‘orange tsunami’ and I admire the marketing behind it; I just think the language used is unwise.”

He then directed further criticism at the AFL.

“The AFL, who are known for their political correctness, allowed this to pass. I found that quite interesting,” mused the former president of the Collingwood Football Club.

“It’s a subjective issue; others might argue that we shouldn’t dwell on it too much, as natural disasters occur frequently. Just move on.”

McGuire also recalled the tragic tsunami event of 2004, which impacted the AFL community due to the loss of Demons player Troy Broadbridge during his honeymoon in Thailand.

“I would hope that they [the Giants] would refrain from using this approach when playing the Melbourne Football Club, in light of Troy Broadbridge’s passing,” McGuire remarked.

While the Giants are set to face the Demons at the MCG on Sunday, the “orange tsunami warning” is only present during GWS home fixtures.

Bartel, a former board member of GWS, acknowledged McGuire’s perspective by stating, “I can understand where you’re coming from.”

WWOS reached out to both the Giants and the AFL for their comments.

In their game on Sunday, GWS defeated Collingwood handily by 52 points, kicking off their premiership bid with a convincing score of 15.14 (104) to 6.16 (52).