Eddie McGuire sounds off on the one thing the AFL needs to get rid of

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has weighed in on the one thing that he wants the AFL to do away with instantly.

The AFL Finals are getting set to enter the third week as fans eagerly await the preliminary final contests.

Fans have so far been greeted to six enthralling contests, with only one so far resulting in a genuine one-sided contest.

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On Friday night Carlton pulled off a stunning upset when they defeated Melbourne in front of 96,000 fans at the MCG.

But it was an all-too familiar sight immediately after the siren that got under the skin of former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who pleaded for one big change to take place over the final two weeks.

“All I’d like to see in the next two weeks is this,” McGuire said on the Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

Cripps on the ground interview after the win pic.twitter.com/adefDV98w5

— Carlton Blues Fans (@CarltonFCBlues) September 16, 2023

“They’re going to be highly emotional times. I revert back to Friday night when Carlton won.

“Cripps was out there, the players are hugging the grandstands are shaking.”

Jimmy Bartel added: “There was Melbourne players laying on the ground everywhere.”

“Show me that,” McGuire said.

“Okay. Hold off. Let the Carlton song be sung, let the captain enjoy it. Settle down.

“You’ve got plenty of time afterwards, let it settle.

“As it turned out Crippa couldn’t hear what Abbey was saying, he couldn’t give a response. He was emotional, he was trying to soak it all in at the same time.

“Let that happen. Let it breathe. Natural sound is your friend.”

Abbey Holmes interviewing Cripps straight after the match finished.

Post-game interviews with the victorious team’s captain and teammates have become the norm for networks immediately following the final siren.

The host broadcaster instantly sends out their sideline reporters as soon as the final siren sounds to throw a microphone in the face of the captain.

While the moment can provide fans with an insight into their favourite players mindset following a win, McGuire’s plea is simple: Let those watching on and those playing in the contest enjoy the moment before they’re forced to commit to the media.

Have the cameras panning around the stadium and watching the jubilation and heartbreak unfold.

Eddie has made a plea to Channel 7 about TV coverage for the remaining footy finals.

Listen on Apple Podcasts 👉https://t.co/v57Jc4Mb4p
Listen on Spotify 👉https://t.co/jRmYAhzOKBpic.twitter.com/sSCxpW5U6r

— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) September 18, 2023

Both the AFL and NRL will prepare for blockbuster preliminary finals showdowns on Friday and Saturday.

Collingwood will play host to the GWS Giants at the MCG on Friday night from 7:50pm (AEST) before the Brisbane Lions host Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday from 5:15pm.

In the NRL the Penrith Panthers will host the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium from 7:50pm while on Saturday night it’ll be the Brisbane Broncos hosting the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium from 7:50pm.

One thing we can guarantee out of all four matches, a post-game interview will take place almost immediately after the full-time siren.

Originally published as Eddie McGuire sounds off on the one thing the AFL needs to get rid of