Recap some of the best quirky moments and hilarious interviews from the Brownlow Medal
It might be the AFL’s night of nights, but things don’t always go smoothly at the Brownlow Medal. From sleeping coaches to hilarious speeches and voting head scratchers, recap some of our favourite quirky moments.
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It is the biggest awards night on the AFL calendar.
But that doesn’t mean things always go to plan. From coaches falling asleep to voting blunders and awkward interviews, the Brownlow Medal has delivered its fair share of quirky moments in recent years.
As we get ready for this year’s count, recap some of the most memorable and under the radar highlights from recent years.
WAKE UP, CLARKO
The 2018 Brownlow Medal was a long one. A very, very long one! Just ask Alastair Clarkson who struggled to see it through.
Unfortunately for Clarko, his moment of ‘drifting off’ happened at the worst possible time.
With Hawthorn ball magnet Tom Mitchell standing on the podium to deliver his victory speech, he began to run through his list of thankyous, starting with his coach.
Just as the cameras panned to Clarkson, awkwardness struck.
Alastair Clarkson is all of us right now #Brownlow pic.twitter.com/oVrqR1T5sc
— Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) September 24, 2018
Luckily, Mitchell was able to see the funny side.
“I will start with the Hawthorn Football Club. Thanks so much for the opportunity you have given me … Clarko seems pretty interested,” Mitchell laughed.
“That is the last time that I will give you a mention.”
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‘1000 MINUTES PER SECOND’
Jack Higgins had plenty of fans before the 2018 Brownlow Medal. But that number exploded following his hilarious speech after taking out the Goal of the Year.
The Tiger was initially asked what was going through his mind when he pulled off his stunning around the post goal against Collingwood earlier that year.
“Like always, nothing,” he responded.
After clearing up that the miraculous goal was definitely not a throw, Higgins then kicked off his list of thankyous in the only way he knew how.
“Alright. Firstly, my heart is pumping 1000 minutes per second, so if I screw it up, don’t hate on me.”
Jack Higgins' full speech! #Brownlow pic.twitter.com/lispZ0xp9z
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 24, 2018
EPIC FAIL AFTER MEMORABILIA MELTDOWN
It was the self-proclaimed “epic fail” that sent social media into meltdown.
During the 2015 Brownlow Medal, an online mix-up at AFL HQ meant some memorabilia went live to celebrate Sam Mitchell’s Brownlow triumph.
The only problem was, the count was still going and Mitchell wasn’t the winner.
The AFL quickly acted to remove the memorabilia and apologised “without reservation” for the stuff up.
Mitchell, who went on to finish third behind Nat Fyfe and Matt Priddis, saw the funny side of how the events played out.
“My wife did have a little laugh at my expense and said, ‘You should have bought one. It’s the only way you’re going to get one of those’.”
FEV’S BIG NIGHT
It was the night of madness that forced Carlton to lose patience with Brendan Fevola and led to his trade to Brisbane.
A clearly intoxicated Fevola lost control at the 2009 Brownlow Medal, with his actions caught on CCTV and Footy Show cameras throughout the night.
His cries of “pressure point” and “Steven Seagal” while attempting to interview Chris Judd will forever be remembered, with Fevola later saying in a statement he had gone too far.
“I think on Brownlow night … that I pretty much made a d*** of myself that night — obviously had too much to drink.”
The two Carlton stars reunited on the Footy Show earlier this year, with Judd’s tongue firmly in his check when he identified the real victims after that night.
“It was disappointing for everyone. The following year it took about 25 minutes for a beer to be brought to your table. It really stiffened up the service of alcohol,” he joked.
HOWE DID HE NOT WIN IT?
It was the Brownlow night award that left viewers shocked.
How in the world did Jeremy Howe not win Mark of the Year in 2017?
The award was instead handed to Joe Daniher, after he won a fan vote to take out the major prize.
The decision left Collingwood president Eddie McGuire fuming.
“(I’m) really disappointed and so was Jeremy Howe,” he said.
“He was told to sit down and be there ready to go, so you’re sort of ready (for it) to happen.”
“It was embarrassing last night.
“There are things that are sacrosanct in this game. You give the mark of the year mark of the year.
“You give the goal of the year goal of the year. I just think it left a stain last night.”
MARLEY WILLIAMS — WHAT?!
Most Brownlow counts throw up some strange votes. But this one from 2018 is really hard to top.
Heading into the night, Marley Williams had never polled a vote in his career.
But all that changed in a Round 2 win against St Kilda, with the rebounding defender picking up maximum votes for a 14 disposal, three mark game.
That was good enough to top Ben Brown, who booted six goals, Ben Cunnington, who had 21 disposals and kicked a goal and Jarrad Waite, who had 24 disposals and kicked a goal.
They are still Williams’ only Brownlow Medal votes.
VETERAN SUN NOT FINISHED YET
One of the highlights of Brownlow night is the video tribute which is played to celebrate all the retiring players.
The only problem last year was that one player had no intention of retiring.
Just to clarify Michael Rischitelli has not retired and will play on in 2019. https://t.co/tIxWQeX24Q
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) September 24, 2018
Gold Coast veteran Michael Rischitelli featured in the video despite having every intention of playing on the following season.
He quickly took to Twitter to let everyone, including his club, know he was planning on sticking around.
“Thanks for the highlight package Channel 7. But I’ll see you all in 2019.”
Rischitelli has since announced his retirement and could be one of the few players to feature in the video twice, without actually making a comeback.
‘DAD TEXTED ME’
Every year the Brownlow Medal lights up social media. And a lot of the interaction comes from the players.
Dane Swan has live tweeted multiple Brownlow Medals. Even the big American Mason Cox gave it a crack last year.
But not everyone has been so successful. Just ask Port Adelaide skipper Ollie Wines, who was given the social media wind up by his own father in 2016.
Sitting outside palladium room. Got stage fright next to Gill so can't get back into count until next ad break. Keep me updated.
— Ollie Wines (@wines16) September 26, 2016
Guess I'm just a 1 vote guy. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
— Ollie Wines (@wines16) September 26, 2016
Dad texted me and said to ease up on the tweets so better comply. Enjoy your night. Danger wins.
— Ollie Wines (@wines16) September 26, 2016
HOW TO HANDLE THE DRINKS
With only two clubs left in the premiership race, Brownlow Medal night can be a tricky one for those in contention for the grand prize.
Adam Cooney found that out the hard way, when he hit the beers a little bit too hard too early back in 2008.
When it became clear Cooney was in the mix to win, he immediately went into ‘sober up mode’ – something a few 2019 contenders may have to take notice of.
“I sobered up towards the end of the count, had a few too many beers early and then sculled a few waters right at the end,” he recently joked.
‘I THOUGHT ED MIGHT PASH ME’
After taking out the big award, Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley showed why it is important to thank all the special people in your life. From your family to your … club president.
After his win in 2003, Buckley saved a special mention for Pies boss Eddie McGuire who had clearly been thinking about the night for a while.
“Ed, thank you mate. Ed actually told me that if I happen to get up tonight that he was going to pash me, like Madonna and Brittany Spears,” Buckley told the crowd.
“I’m just thankful he hasn’t planted one on me yet.”
McGuire, who was hosting the night, didn’t rule it out.
“It is still early Bucks, don’t worry.”
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