AFL welcomes 2023 with incredible Welcome to Country

Brisbane crowds respond with respect and awe

Shannon Ruska lights up the Gabba with powerful words

A dazzling Welcome to Country ceremony has preceded the first match on Australian soil at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, with football fans branding it the best ever.

A packed stadium in Brisbane erupted in applause and cheers as Shannon Ruska, a Yugambeh woman and Darumbal elder, led the Welcome to Country ahead of the AFL preliminary final between the Brisbane Lions and Carlton Blues.

Ruska's performance was unorthodox, ditching the traditional didgeridoo and opting instead for a powerful spoken word performance that celebrated the strength and resilience of First Nations people.

"We are the original custodians of this land," Ruska said. "We have been here for thousands of years, and we will be here for thousands more."

The crowd's response was overwhelmingly positive, with many taking to social media to praise Ruska's performance.

"That was the most powerful Welcome to Country I have ever witnessed," one fan tweeted. "Shannon Ruska is a true inspiration."

Another fan wrote: "I'm not a footy fan, but I came to the game tonight just to see the Welcome to Country. It was worth every penny."

Ruska's performance was a reminder of the importance of acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we live and play.

It was also a celebration of the growing recognition of First Nations culture in Australia.

The 2023 Women's World Cup has been a tournament of firsts, including the concerted effort from the host nations to promote and celebrate First Nations culture.

Ruska's Welcome to Country was a powerful and moving moment that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.