3AW radio presenter Tom Elliott has joined a raging debate on musician Dylan Wright’s version of Advance Australia Fair ahead of the State of Origin opener on Wednesday night.
Wright performed a stripped back version of the national anthem which showcased his booming voice and acoustic guitar.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dylan Wright performs national anthem at State of Origin opener.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The tempo was also a little different to the original version, and it immediately divided fans.
Some of the players also appeared to struggle to sing along due to the altered rhythm.
On Thursday morning Elliott weighed in, and believed Wright “went too far”.
“I don’t mind it when they change some of the words,” Elliott said on his morning program.
“But fiddling with the way it’s sung and the musical accompaniment …
“A lot of people are giving Dylan Wright stick online saying he sort of turned the national anthem into a sort of hip, rock ‘n roll type thing.
“You know, it is the anthem of our country … Don’t fiddle with the national anthem.
“Let’s just say he decided to put his own stamp on (it) … (and) I don’t like liberties being taken with the national anthem.
“In America they get very, very upset if the Star Spangled Banner is not sung in the traditional way … I reckon that went too far last night.”
Many fans agree with Elliott’s take, but Wright definitely had his supporters.
“Absolutely shocked to see the Dylan Wright anthem getting criticism,” on fan said on X (formerly Twitter).
“It’s not like it was a dub step remix or club edit, that acoustic rendition is the best that god awful ditty has sounded in years.”
Another said: “Yeah, I find the criticism a bit tone deaf. People complaining because that’s what they do every Origin …. complain. Nothing wrong with it. Seen a lot worse on NFL primetime!!”