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Sydney Swans' Lance Franklin labels Anthony Mundine's grand final boycott idea 'stupid'

Andrew Wu

Sydney superstar Lance Franklin has slammed Anthony Mundine's idea for players to boycott the national anthem at this weekend's AFL and NRL grand finals as "stupid".

Mundine made the call on Thursday to raise the awareness of the treatment of indigenous Australians, but he will not be receiving any support from one of the highest profile indigenous athletes in the country.

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Franklin slams Mundine's protest

Swans forward Lance Franklin has responded to Anthony Mundine's call for Indigenous athletes to boycott the Australian National Anthem at the Grand Final saying Advance Australia Fair is part of the game's history.

"First I've heard of it," Franklin said at the AFL grand final parade in Melbourne on Friday.

"Personally I think it's pretty stupid really, it's the Australian national anthem, it's a part of our sport, our history."

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Franklin, who on Saturday will be spearheading the Swans' tilt at the flag, said there would be "no chance" he would be following Mundine's advice.

Mundine, a champion boxer and former rugby league star, has been one of the most outspoken athletes on race relations in Australia, dividing the country with his controversial views.

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"Been saying this for years!" Mundine wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday. "All players aboriginal & non aboriginal should boycott the anthem & start changing Australia's ignorant mentality.

"Lets move forward together yo."

"It's the Australian national anthem, it's a part of our sport, our history": Lance Franklin.
"It's the Australian national anthem, it's a part of our sport, our history": Lance Franklin. Photo: Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked fierce debate in the US after kneeling during the national anthem in protest at the treatment of African Americans.

The Swans were strong in their support of former champion Adam Goodes last year, describing the booing of the dual Brownlow Medallist as racially motivated.

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