The Age newspaper has published an advertisement commiserating with the Western Bulldogs about their defeat in the AFL grand final – which they won.
The half-page advertisement was placed in the Monday edition by Victoria University, congratulating the Melbourne team on their 2016 season that was no less “outstanding” for Saturday’s “disappointment”.
“In spite of the disappointment of the Grand Final loss, the Bulldogs showed incredible heart and sportsmanship until the final siren, led by skipper and VU student Easton Wood,” it said.
The correct advertisement ran in the Herald Sun, another daily Melbourne newspaper, congratulating the team on a “heart-stopping” win.
Oh dear same ad ostensibly but @theage ran the wrong one correct copy in the @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/WPZAIASRr1
— MMM's Hot Breakfast (@mmmhotbreakfast) October 2, 2016
Victoria University is a major sponsor of the Bulldogs.
Peter Dawkins, the vice-chancellor, had tweeted enthusiastically about the team’s win against the Sydney Swans on Saturday night.
With Sam Robertson VU's Bulldogs Sport Scientist Congratulations Doggies pic.twitter.com/IthWt0My9e
— Peter Dawkins 🔴⚪️🔵 (@VicUniVC) October 1, 2016
It was the Bulldogs’ first grand final appearance since 1961, and first premiership win since 1954.
The paper formally acknowledged the mistake in a statement on Monday morning.
“We acknowledge a mistake made in today’s paper regarding Victoria University and the Western Bulldogs. An advertisement was run congratulating the Western Bulldogs on an outstanding 2016 season, instead of one celebrating their Grand Final victory. This was the result of a breakdown in our ad system. We apologise to both Vic Uni and the Western Bulldogs.”
Editor-in-chief Mark Forbes also apologised for the error on 3AW radio.
“It was a stuff-up. It should’ve been checked and it wasn’t. It simply got through. We apologise sincerely.”
The Bulldogs and Victoria University have been contacted for comment.
The Age’s misprint reminded AFL fan Cheryl Critchley of the Sunday Herald-Sun’s front-page report of the 1993 federal election, which publicised John Hewson’s “photo finish”.
“Oh yeah?” Paul Keating had autographed her copy.
The Age "in spite of the Bulldogs' disappointment" ad brings back memories of this, which I got signed by the Paul Keating in 1993. #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/Dcbu2PuZdy
— Cheryl Critchley (@CherylCritchley) October 2, 2016
The Bulldogs had placed their own advertisement in the Age last week, congratulating Victoria University on falling within the top 2% in the Times Higher Education world university rankings.
That figure was correct.
