AFL confirms Norm Smith and Jock McHale medal presenters in another change from tradition
The AFL has moved away from tradition yet again for the 2021 grand final, as the presenters for the Norm Smith and Jock McHale medals were announced.
AFL
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The AFL has announced Andrew Embley and John Worsfold will present the Norm Smith and Jock McHale medals respectively at the 2021 grand final.
Embley was a member of the West Coast Eagles’ 2006 premiership team that was coached by Worsfold, and enjoyed a career spanning 14 years.
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The 40-year-old was a one-club man with the Eagles, and was the Norm Smith medallist in the 2006 grand final against the Sydney Swans.
Embley will present the Norm Smith medal to the player judged to be the best on ground in the grand final, while Worsfold will hand over the Jock McHale medal to the winning coach.
Worsfold was head coach of the West Australian side for 12 seasons before stepping down from his role at the end of the 2013 season.
Since 2004, former Norm Smith medallists have had the fortune of presenting the award to the freshly anointed winner of the medal in the order of the year in which they won.
Chris Judd was due to present the Norm Smith medal this season, but due to Western Australia’s border restrictions he would be unable to attend.
The Jock McHale medal was to be presented by Paul Roos, however the same issue is preventing him from being in Perth.
Both will be offered the chance to present the medals at the 2022 AFL grand final.
The news represents another shift from tradition for the AFL, after they confirmed the grand final would be held outside Victoria for the second year running.
Optus Stadium in Perth was locked in as the host venue for the big occasion – just the third time the event has not been played at the MCG.
The grand final will be played on Saturday, September 25.
Originally published as AFL confirms Norm Smith and Jock McHale medal presenters in another change from tradition
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