While the AFL had ruled out promoting the Voice to Parliament during Saturday's grand final, Indigenous artist Jess Hitchcock made her views clear while performing at the big game.
The Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, who has ties to Saibai Island in the Torres Strait, wore a dress whilst performing during the pre-match entertainment, the design of which appeared to be in support of an Indigenous Voice.
Whilst delivering a rendition of Waltzing Matilda in unison with renowned didgeridoo player William Barton, Ms Hitchcock could be seen in a long, black dress which included the word "Yes" printed on front and back.
"Voice", "You're the Voice" and "Always Was, Always Will Be" could also be seen on Ms Hitchcock's dress design, phrases synonymous within pro-Voice movements.
Following the performance, Melbourne-based Indigenous clothing company, Clothing the Gaps, showcased Ms Hitchcock's 'Yes Dress' on social media.
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A post shared by Clothing The Gaps (@clothingthegaps)
In an Instagram post, Clothing the Gaps commended Ms Hitchcock as the "one lone ranger using the final dance to influence the Nation", whilst criticising the AFL and the day's participating clubs, Collingwood and Brisbane, for not promoting the Voice on the last Saturday in September, even though the league and both clubs had previously declared their support for an enshrined Indigenous Voice.
"Shout out to @jesshitchcock - any #AFL player or the Clubs @collingwood_fc or @brisbanelions could have taken this opportunity to show their support for a First Nations Voice at the #aflgrandfinal2023 - but, disappointingly they didn't," the post read.
"Both #Collingwood & #BrisbaneLions have released statements saying they support the Voice but, today there was only one lone ranger using the final dance to influence the Nation, and she was a Saibai woman - she will be celebrated and respected but will also cop all the racism and hate!
"It is a privilege to choose when and how to show up in support of First Nations justice, one that is not afforded to First Nations people. Today, the AFL and Clubs exercised their own privilege in deciding not to speak up and use their platform to encourage wider Australia to have conversations and write 'yes' to recognising, listening and better outcomes for First Nations people."
The AFL, along with the NRL first declared its support for the Voice in May.
Despite an eleventh hour push, the league ruled out using Saturday's decider to promote its stance on the Voice, with an AFL spokesperson telling Nine newspapers the league had declined to run Voice displays on game day, with reports the directive from the commission was for the AFL to not actively campaign for the Voice during the entirety of the September finals series.
Yes campaigners also told Nine promoting the Voice on grand final day could risk backlash from fans who were unsupportive of the mixing of sport and politics.
The Voice to Parliament referendum is set to be held on October 14.
