AFL football operations boss Mark Evans reveals that moving the Brownlow Medal count was discussed

THE AFL discussed shifting the Brownlow Medal from its traditional timeslot of the Monday night of Grand Final week, league football operations boss Mark Evans has revealed.

Fremantle star Nat Fyfe collected last year’s Brownlow Medal, on the Monday night before the Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch.

THE AFL discussed shifting the Brownlow Medal from its traditional timeslot of the Monday night of Grand Final week, league football operations boss Mark Evans has revealed.

For the first time, this year sees a week off between Round 23 and the first week of the finals series, with the suggestion made to Evans that the “free” weekend could be prime position for the medal count to be held.

But he admitted while it was discussed, the “strong opinion” was to keep it in its long-standing place.

“It was discussed as to whether the Brownlow would come forward,” Evans told 3AW on Wednesday night.

“That would certainly take that distraction out of Grand Final week, so if your Brownlow medallist was playing in a Grand Final, that certainly helps that cause.

“But I think it holds such a special place in Grand Final week, it’s sort of the real opening into that strong celebration of Grand Final week. The strong opinion was to leave that there.”

Evans said there is plenty planned for the weekend off, with the annual EJ Whitten Legends game already on the schedule.

“There are plans for the Friday night, Saturday night and through Sunday to fill some of that void,” he said.

“But I’ll leave that until it’s been announced properly.”