Crows on the soft drinks for Brownlow night
ALL eyes were on Melbourne for the Brownlow Medal, but in a low-key event at Adelaide Oval some of the Crows’ mightiest players swapped beers for soft drinks in preparation for this weekend’s big game.
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TIGERS star Dustin Martin became the shortest-priced favourite to win the Brownlow Medal in Melbourne on Monday, winning AFL’s highest individual honour with 36 votes.
He finished ahead of Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield on 33 votes, who had been ruled ineligible through suspension.
Martin started at odds of $1.03 and polled a record 11 best on ground votes, Hawk Tom Mitchell finished second (25) and Sydney’s Josh Kennedy (23) third.
Crows hardman Rory Sloane finished seventh with 20 votes.
But while all eyes were on Melbourne for the Brownlow Medal, the Crows players and their wives and partners celebrated the medal count at the Adelaide Oval.
Choosing to stay at home ahead of Saturday’s AFL Grand Final against Martin’s Tigers, just a handful of Crows players attended the medal count in the William Magarey Medal room alongside club officials and sponsors.
Crows captain Tex Walker, Rory Sloane, Eddie Betts, Sam Jacobs, the injured Brodie Smith, Matt Crouch and Rory Laird arrived on the red carpet just after 6pm.
Flanked by his wife Anna Scullie, fan favourite Betts joked the Adelaide squad was usually best on ground during the glamour night hosted in Melbourne.
“It’s a bit different (drinking soft drink) but we’ll enjoy it,” Betts said. “We’ll soak it up on the waters and enjoy it. It’s a good problem to have.”
Walker arrived on the red carpet with his partner Ellie Brown, Jacobs came with his wife Izzy Daniel, Crouch brought Ellie Symons and Smith came to the event with girlfriend Krystal Cummings.
Sloane flew solo — wife Belinda had hosting duties with Channel 7 in Melbourne — as did Laird.
Betts, who was nominated for goal of the year again after winning last season, said it was still hard to believe the club was going to battle for its third AFL premiership after a huge 19-year gap.
“I’m feeling good and excited, can’t wait to be honest,” he said.
“I’m still pinching myself knowing that we’re there on the last day, so really looking forward to it.”
Sloane and Matt Crouch were tipped to poll best for the Crows in the count.
A handful of Port Adelaide players attended the function at Crown in Melbourne, where the who’s who of the AFL walked the red carpet.
Check out Odds.com.au for the latest AFL Finals odds
Check out Odds.com.au for the latest AFL Finals odds