Whenever dedicated rounds commence that feature the ceremonies, including Indigenous rounds in various codes or Anzac Day fixtures, fierce debate can be sure to follow. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The Melbourne Storm became embroiled in a Welcome to Country furore for their Anzac clash this year, with Aboriginal Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin releasing a statement on Thursday that she still won’t work with the club for “any official functions or cultural work”. The Storm kick-off Indigenous Round against the Broncos at AAMI Park. Meanwhile, a leading Indigenous voice in rugby league media has put his support behind the Welcome to Country ceremonies, saying they have become “politicised for no reason”. The Storm confirmed earlier this week an Acknowledgement of Country would be held at AAMI Park before Thursday’s game against Brisbane. Melbourne also issued a formal apology for cancelling its planned Welcome to Country for its match against the Rabbitohs on Anzac Day, which caused distress among the Wurundjeri People. The move followed booing at a Welcome to Country ceremony during a Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne earlier that day. “The club extends that apology to First Nations and Maori and Pasifika communities impacted,” the Storm said. “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.” While Aunty Joy will attend the match, she won’t be taking part in any official duties with the club until certain measures are put in place. “This is about the (Melbourne) board, not the game. This is about setting a standard not just for Melbourne Storm but across all sporting codes,” Aunty Joy said. “I will always stand strong beside community and as a leader take responsibility to care for those who hurt badly. Never miss the latest sports news from Australia and around the world — download the news.com.au app direct to your phone. “I carry a deep responsibility to community and will not compromise my integrity as a proud Aboriginal woman and community Elder. “We cannot support an organisation that has associations with any group that incites racial vilification and division. “We are willing to continue to work with Melbourne Storm to address the deep community concerns, but cannot endorse any official functions or cultural work until measures are put in place to ensure cultural respect and safety for all. “While I will not do this officially tonight, I will be there to offer strength, healing and cultural safety, I do this with honour for our people, respect for what we have been given, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, healing with purpose.” The Storm was dragged into the spotlight during the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum when it was reported club director Brett Ralph was responsible for a $75,000 donation to ‘Advance Australia’ — one of the loudest organisations that campaigned against the ‘yes’ vote. Speaking to news.com.au, Fox League reporter Jake Duke, a proud Kamolaroi man, said it was “essential” Welcome to Country ceremonies were held at major events like Indigenous Round and Anzac Day. “The Storm always said they planned to do it for major events and when it felt warranted, that’s their decision,” Duke said. “Personally I think Anzac Day is one of those major events — celebrating the country we live in and the First Nations people of our country and acknowledging them on days like that. “Especially when you consider a lot of Indigenous people fought in those wars for a country that didn’t even recognise them fully. “But that’s beside the point. That’s the Storm’s prerogative. They can decide what they want to do.” Following the late cancellation of the Welcome to Country for the Storm match in April, more questions were asked about the private dealings of powerful co-owner Ralph. The Melbourne businessman’s position on the club’s board of directors was cast into the spotlight at the time, although he retains that position today. Murphy, who has performed the Welcome to Country at various Melbourne events for many years, said at the time her “heart’s broken” over the move. That was followed by public comments by Storm chairman Matt Tripp, who said the situation left him “disappointed beyond words”. The Storm then fielded questions about any potential impact Ralph had in the club’s policy on Welcome to Country ceremonies. Rapper Adam Briggs, a lifelong supporter of the club and an advocate for the ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, said at the time he was cutting ties with the Storm because he felt the club’s values no longer aligned with his. The Storm publicly stated as an organisation it supported the Voice to Parliament proposal, but Ralph’s private actions suggest he did not feel the same way. The Storm said in a statement at the time Ralph had never used the club to promote his views and said Ralph was entitled to his private opinions. While Welcome to Country ceremonies have divided opinion in Australia in recent years, Duke said there’s no reason for them to be so controversial. “Personally, I think Welcome to Country’s are important and they’re something that’s become politicised for no reason,” Duke said. “It’s a two-minute ceremony to acknowledge the fact that we’re on Aboriginal land, sovereignty was never ceded, it was taken. “If that’s the least people can do to acknowledge that, I don’t think that’s too much to ask. “Yes, obviously on a round like this, I think it’s essential.”