The Fremantle Dockers have defied criticism from high-profile fans to extend their sponsorship with fossil fuel giant Woodside for another two seasons.
The AFL club announced the deal on Wednesday, saying the partnership would help it remain in a strong position on and off the pitch.
But the agreement was savaged by critics, including ACT Senator David Pocock, who accused Woodside of greenwashing its contribution to climate change.
"Fossil fuel companies, like Woodside and Santos, are expanding their operations, with no credible plans to decarbonise, while buying social licence by sponsoring sport," the former Wallaby wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
"The're betting on us not taking climate action, threatening the very sports they sponsor."
Greens leader Adam Bandt called the deal a "disappointing free kick to the fossil fuel industry".
"Woodside will try anything to distract from the fact they're opening up new gas in the middle of a climate crisis, but people are not falling for it," he said.
The Climate Council said it offered the club a science briefing to elucidate the damaging effects of fossil fuels on the environment but its advances were ignored.
"Woodside is not a benign sponsor," Climate Council head of advocacy Jennifer Rayner said.
"They're a climate-wrecking contributor to the climate crisis and the Dockers' sponsorship validates their destructive activities."
Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist Bill Hare said he was disturbed by the club's refusal to accept the Climate Council's offer.
"Head in the sand is no way to fight global warning," he said in a tweet.
Last year, a group of 10 high-profile Dockers fans, including Dr Hare, Fremantle's inaugural football manager Gerard McNeill, ex-player Dale Kickett, former WA premier Carmen Lawrence, author Tim Winton and former Woodside climate change advisor Alex Hillman, released an open letter encouraging the club to end its relationship with Woodside.
Woodside has been a major sponsor of Fremantle since 2010.
Woodside chief executive Meg O'Neill said the company was proud to work with Fremantle as it focused on "a lower carbon, equitable and sustainable energy future".
"As we move forward in the energy transition, partnerships with organisations such as the Dockers who prioritise sustainable outcomes will be critical," she said.
The Dockers said the renewed agreement reflected Woodside's commitment to have a positive impact on the club and the community.
"This includes the expansion of the Indigenous program partnership which encompasses the further development and implementation of Fremantle's next stretch reconciliation action plan," the club said.
Woodside finds itself in a Federal Court dispute with traditional owners over its plan to begin seismic blasting off northern WA as part of its Scarborough Gas Project.
Traditional custodian Raelene Cooper argues Woodside did not properly consult her when seeking approval for the project.
Justice Craig Colvin has reserved his decision in the matter until Thursday.
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Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905
