The Anchormen from Bunbury bag bragging rights over The Albany Shantymen in inaugural shanty tug of war

Spectators got more than they bargained for at the Albany Boatshed on Sunday when two of WA’s best known shanty groups clashed in a tug of war for the ages. A new addition to the 2022 Albany International Folk’n Shanty Festival, the inaugural shanty tug of war was contested by The Albany Shantymen and The Anchormen from Bunbury. Two groups with close ties — The Albany Shantymen inspired the formation of their Bunbury counterparts in 2018 — the tug of war was expected to be a light-hearted way to start the day. But when some members of The Anchormen arrived at the beach wearing football boots or gloves, it seemed the stakes were higher than anticipated. The Albany Shantymen, meanwhile, came dressed in their Sunday best. They had been challenged by their opponents to dress up as barmaids from the late 1700s and 1800s. Founder Gary “Grizz” Greenwald wore a black and teal floral dress that almost matched his tattoos, while Alby Van Dongen left little to the imagination with his pink stunner. Veteran WA shanty singer Pete “Buggy” Bugden officiated the tug of war, which started to the roar of the crowd on a brisk and drizzly morning outside the Albany Boatshed Markets. It soon became clear the contest was going to be decided by endurance rather than a quick burst of strength. It lasted for more than two minutes, with The Anchormen from Bunbury eventually getting the better of the homecrowd favourites in a thriller. The Anchormen co-founder Colin Anker — dressed as Ron Burgundy from movie The Anchorman — led his team’s victory celebrations. Moments later, Anker and Greenwald were locked in a cross between a wrestle and a hug as they rolled down the sand into the ocean. The two team captains emerged soaked and smiling, with the rematch in 2023 shaping as a must-see fixture. The third annual Albany International Folk’n Shanty Festival ran from Friday to Sunday, culminating in the Shipload of Shanty finale at the Premier Hotel on Sunday night.