On The Voice, the AFL has hung back and refused to put its head right over the ball and have a fair dinkum go on its biggest day.

I was imagining that classic aerial shot of a packed MCG, with people of all ages in all club colours running out from the centre circle, opening a huge canvas with “Yes” clear for all the world – or at least all of Australia – to see.

But I was dreaming.

The AFL has prided itself on being socially responsible, on being caring and on being something of a role model.

It has incredible power, which it generally seems to have used for good.

On The Voice, however, in my view, while it formally expressed support, the AFL has hung back and refused to put its head right over the ball and have a fair dinkum go on its biggest day.

It is a contest that demands to be won, and a contest the AFL could have swung the right way as we near time-on in this most important campaign.

Source: The AFL had the power to turn the tide – Pearls and Irritations