A heated debate has erupted in the AFLW community after Hawthorn's controversial decision to skip Jasmine Garner's 100-game guard of honour ceremony, sparking a war of words between two prominent football personalities.
The Controversial No-Show
When North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner ran out for her milestone 100th AFLW game, tradition dictated that opposing team Hawthorn should form a guard of honour. However, in a move that's divided the football world, the Hawks players remained in their change rooms, leaving the Kangaroos to honour their champion alone.
Cornes vs McCarthy: The Great Divide
The absence prompted Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes to label the situation "really poor" from Hawthorn. "I think it's a really poor look," Cornes declared on Footy Classified. "I don't understand why you wouldn't do it."
However, former AFLW player Kate McCarthy immediately countered, defending Hawthorn's position. "I'm going to disagree," McCarthy fired back, arguing that guard of honours should be reserved for retirement games rather than milestone matches.
Tradition Under Scrutiny
The clash highlights growing tensions around AFLW traditions and protocols. While some see the guard of honour as a fundamental show of respect, others question whether the practice has become overused in women's football.
McCarthy's stance suggests a desire to maintain the special nature of the honour, telling Cornes: "You don't get a guard of honour for 100 games, you get it when you retire."
Garmer's Stellar Career
The controversy overshadowed what should have been pure celebration for Garner, one of the competition's genuine superstars. The North Melbourne midfielder has been:
- A four-time AFLW All-Australian
- Three-time club best and fairest winner
- Two-time AFLPA MVP
- Premiership player
Despite the pre-game drama, Garner let her football do the talking, delivering another commanding performance in North Melbourne's comprehensive victory.
Where to From Here?
The incident raises important questions about AFLW protocols and whether the league needs clearer guidelines around honour guards. As the competition continues to evolve and establish its own traditions, this debate likely marks just the beginning of discussions about how the game honours its champions.
One thing remains certain: in the growing landscape of women's Australian rules football, respect and tradition matter, even when opinions differ on how to show it.
