'Missing the point': Fans slam Shane Warne over 'selfish' stance on virus

Shane Warne has drawn the ire of fans after supporting Sam Newman’s protest against the ban on golf in Victoria.

Newman caused a stir on Thursday when he marched on Victorian parliament to demand answers as to why Victorians can’t play golf during the coronavirus crisis.

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The former AFL Footy Show host dressed in his most colourful golf gear and slung his golf bag over his shoulder, asking for an audience with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

Describing the ban on golf as ‘absolute nonsense’, Newman said in a series of videos posted to Twitter: “I’m going to respectfully ask him why in god’s name can’t we go on to a golf course, social distance, and play golf?

“I’m going to stand here for an hour or so and if he hears that I’m here, I’ll put a ball marker down.

“I’ve got a GPS for social distancing, and we’ll ask him - why in god’s name can’t Victorians play golf? So here we go.”

Warne was among a number of prominent names to voice their support for Newman’s stunt.

“Go on Sammy!!!!!!! I must admit, that you have a very good point,” Warne wrote in response to one of Newman’s videos.

“When I went to the supermarket a few days ago, there were 20 people in a confined space, plenty of room in the open space of a golf course.”

However Warne’s stance sparked backlash from fans who called on the Aussie cricket legend to see the bigger picture, describing his tweet as ‘selfish’ and ‘missing the point’.

However there were plenty of other social media users who agreed with Newman and Warne.

All golf courses around Victoria have been closed as the state tries to battle the spread of coronavirus.

However the blanket closure has left Victorians fuming, especially after NSW decided to re-open courses to the public two weeks ago.

Courses in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania also remain open - albeit with strict social-distancing measures in place.

Eddie McGuire puts Sam Newman in his place

Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire isn’t on Newman and Warne’s side.

McGuire invited Newman on Triple M to discuss the topic on Friday, but was left frustrated when Newman continually insisted that golf was ‘the most cathartic thing’ anyone could do with society all but shut down due to the virus.

“We’ve nearly got this right. Sam, if you can leave the bag in the back of a car for another month, I reckon you’ll be playing,” McGuire said.

“Why don’t we just stick between the lines for a couple more weeks. It’s better than having to go to war or anything. Why don’t we just stick there and we’ll all get through it.

“The problem has been early in proceedings people wouldn’t sink into their thick skulls, and a lot of them into their thick, privileged skulls, that this was going to be something that could actually catch up and destroy not only lives, but our economy and our way of life.

“If you hang on for another couple of months and show the leadership in the community to tell people who are holed up in single bedroom apartments, who aren’t going to school, sometimes we all have to dig a bit deeper.”