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Recap the awkward interviews, best sledges and quirky moments from the 2018 season

Most of the time football is a pretty serious business. But this isn’t one of those times. From the awkward interviews to the best sledges and the downright bizarre, recap the best quirky moments from the 2018 season.

Liam Twomey
12 min read
November 27, 2018 - 4:21PM
Port Adelaide staff carrying a microwave across the Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide staff carrying a microwave across the Adelaide Oval.

Most of the time football is a pretty serious business.

But this isn’t one of those times.

While the 2018 season will be remembered for on-field highlights like West Coast’s stunning Grand Final day comeback, the resurgence of Collingwood and the rise of Melbourne, it also threw up plenty of less spectacular moments.

From some classic sledges to commentary gone wrong and plenty of awkward interviews, recap our favourite quirky moments from the 2018 season.

TRACK WATCH: WHO IS TRAINING WELL AT YOUR CLUB?

DRAFT WATCH: EVERY CLUB’S DRAFT HAUL RATED

‘BUT FIRST, LET ME TAKE A SELFIE’

In the middle of May on a cold night at the Adelaide Oval, we found the bravest football fan in the AFL.

The Western Bulldogs had just been smashed by Adelaide and coach Luke Beveridge didn’t look too pleased as he walked down to the rooms.

Enter the courageous supporter who stopped Bevo, pulled out her phone and asked for a selfie.

As if that wasn’t bizarre enough, the premiership coach actually agreed to the request.

Beveridge even waited for the woman to navigate some technical difficulties on her phone. Talk about having the patience of a saint.

WERE THE POWER HEATING UP PIES?

It was one of the biggest mysteries of the AFL season.

Why were the Port Adelaide trainers using a microwave on their bench during cold matches?

The Power were forced to answer this (tough) question late in the season after a photo emerged of a staff member carrying the kitchen appliance across the Adelaide Oval.

While there was plenty of social media speculation regarding microwave popcorn, unfortunately, the answer had nothing to do with food. It turns out it was all for Paddy Ryder’s heat packs.

“Our medicos are conscious of keeping his (Ryder’s) Achilles warm during the game,” a Power spokesman told The Herald Sun.

“That’s the reason … I can definitely confirm it’s not heating up sausage rolls for players and staff on the sidelines.”

Port Adelaide staff carrying a microwave across the Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide staff carrying a microwave across the Adelaide Oval.

SHOULD THE GF RESULT BE REVERSED?

It will be remembered as one of the best grand finals of all time.

But not all Collingwood fans have been able to move on after their heartbreaking loss to West Coast.

In fact, one passionate Pie even started a petition to have the result overturned.

Rod Craven started the online movement the week after his side’s loss, highlighting three major umpiring decisions which went against Collingwood as proof the result should be reversed.

While the idea seemed a little crazy, he wasn’t alone in his thoughts, with over 4000 people signing his petition.

We are yet to hear any official word from the AFL about the result being changed.

It was a heartbreaking finish to the Grand Final for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images
It was a heartbreaking finish to the Grand Final for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

NOW THAT WAS AN AWKWARD INTERVIEW

When it comes to the media, AFL great Chris Judd has his own style.

This was never more evident than back in Round 13, when things got very awkward very fast between the two-time Brownlow Medallist and Sydney’s Callum Sinclair.

The Triple M interview started normally enough before hitting a snag.

“Callum, we thought you were the best player on the ground tonight. You were absolutely terrific,” Judd began.

“We also noted the fact that you’ve got a bit of a pin head. Do you ever get nervous when you’re around balloons at a kid’s birthday party?”

Sinclair initially laughed, before quickly trying to push the interview back to his footy.

“Maybe you boys just start with the footy questions first I reckon. If I had a bit more prep time I’d give you boys a return serve I reckon.”

OH SH*T: ROAMING BRIAN’S BIG MISTAKE

Not only does Roaming Brian take viewers behind the scenes after a big win, he also teaches them valuable lessons about being in football change rooms.

This was particularly evident after St Kilda’s Round 17 win over Carlton, when BT demonstrated how important it is to not give someone a congratulatory slap to the ribs when they are recovering from a punctured lung.

Unfortunately, Jake Carlisle was on the wrong end of the demonstration and copped the ill-placed whack.

Taylor immediately let out an “Oh, sh*t” when he realised what he had done before asking Carlisle if he was all right.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the big Saint, who replied with, “I just took the guard off as well.”

‘BLOODY IDIOT’ LEAVES MOONS FUMING

Before Andrew Gaff’s brain fade, Jeremy Cameron held the title for biggest tribunal case of the year after his huge bump into Brisbane’s Harris Andrews.

Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney got the early scoop immediately after the Round 14 clash, speaking to Cameron on the final siren.

However, it was clear not everyone was impressed, with a member of the Gabba ground staff refusing to move during the interview.

Mooney was clearly frustrated, later labelling the groundsman a “bloody idiot.”

THE ULTIMATE BROWNLOW HEADSCRATCHER

We’ve seen some Brownlow howlers over the years, but this might be the worst of all-time.

In Round 2 against St Kilda, North Melbourne’s Marley Williams polled three votes after having 14 touches. He was also not named in the best players for any major media organisation. Meanwhile, Ben Brown kicked six goals and didn’t poll a vote.

Going into the game, Champion Data listed Williams as a 0.0% chance to poll a vote, let alone three.

In total, 16 Kangaroos and 13 Saints had more touches than Williams.

What were the umpires thinking?

COX MAKES THE DEE FANS FEEL EVEN WORSE

There was plenty to like about the 2018 season for Melbourne, with the club finally breaking its finals drought and riding a wave of success to the preliminary final.

That is where the good times ended though, with the Demons smashed by West Coast in brutal fashion.

While it was a tough pill to swallow for the players, spare a thought for the supporters who forked out thousands of dollars for return flights to Perth.

Not everyone was feeling the sympathy buzz though, with Collingwood’s Mason Cox, who was waiting to play in a Grand Final, hitting the Demons faithful with this brutal sledge.

Mason Cox sledges Melbourne fans.
Mason Cox sledges Melbourne fans.

BT DOES A ROAMING WEDDING

For everyone screaming out that they need more Roaming Brian in their lives, this one is for you.

No longer is the quirky Channel 7 segment confined to just late on Friday nights.

Roaming Brian recently received its first primetime slot, with Jake Lever calling on BT to roam at the Melbourne defender’s wedding.

Taylor, who was MC of the event, hit the floor and began quizzing guests in the same fashion he does in crowded footy club rooms.

So is he better at weddings or on Channel 7? Watch the results below.

WHAT WAS THIS FAN THINKING?

As the Sydney Swans ran onto the ground to take on Hawthorn in Round 8, one fan wanted to remember the action forever by recording it on his … laptop!?

That’s right! The fan hung his laptop over the fence so he could snap one of the strangest photos of the season.

It was an interesting idea but as no one else tried it over the next 16 weeks, it is safe to say the MacBook selfie might have been put to bed.

One fan uses a laptop to take a photo of the Sydney Swans running onto the ground.
One fan uses a laptop to take a photo of the Sydney Swans running onto the ground.

DID LYNCH JUST SAY THAT?

It’s the moment every commentator dreads, but everyone who works in live TV knows it is a constant danger.

Brisbane legend Alastair Lynch was talking tactics with Dermott Brereton at halftime of North Melbourne’s clash with West Coast when he mixed up his words, and somehow said something that you shouldn’t say on TV, at least until after the kids have gone to bed.

Like a true professional, he quickly regained his composure, as did Brereton — barely.

Lynch had another crack after the game, and finally got it right.

PIES HIDE SECRET BANNER MESSAGE

It was the biggest debate of the 2018 season.

Did Jack Higgins really kick goal of the year against Collingwood or should he have been pinged for a throw?

While the Magpies would get the ultimate revenge in the preliminary final, the cheer squad didn’t wait long to let their true feelings be known.

In one of the cleverest banners of the season, a hidden message revealed exactly what they thought of the decision.

Check out the hidden message in Collingwood's banner.
Check out the hidden message in Collingwood's banner.

A SHOCKING … YEAR?

St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary clearly has a long memory.

After being pinged for a tight holding the ball decision late in the season, the Saint told Dean Margetts exactly what he thought of the umpire’s entire year on the whistle.

Margetts: You dived on the ball Jarryn, you dived on the ball.

Geary: Mate! Have a look at it, you’ve had a shocking year.

Margetts: A shocking year?

Umpire Margetts resisted the temptation to give his evaluation of St Kilda’s year.

TEGAN, ARE YOU OK?

It isn’t just AFL clubs that occasionally have some issues with their banners.

The Seaford Tigerette also had some concerns when they produced a banner for player Tegan Mackey’s 100th game.

However, unlike Collingwood on Grand Final day, the Tigerettes made theirs too strong, as Mackey soon found out.

WHEN THE MEDIA LEFT BUCKS HANGING

When you coach the biggest club in Australia, it’s natural to expect a full house after a big win.

However, that wasn’t the case for Nathan Buckley, who was greeted by zero journalists after Collingwood’s Round 15 victory over Gold Coast.

It turns out Buckley was quicker to get down to his press conference than most rival coaches.

It would be fair to say the Coach of the Year winner wasn’t too impressed when the media finally did arrive.

HAWK’S SLEDGE TAKES AIM AT RANCE

AFL players might say they only worry about what is happening at their own club but in reality, they know exactly what is happening all over the league.

That was particularly evident when Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton decided to sledge Giant Harry Himmelberg.

After being pinged for a dubious free kick in a marking contest, Stratton was picked up by the umpire microphones saying, “That was almost a Rancy dive.”

Only a few weeks earlier, Richmond gun Alex Rance had been fined by the MRO for staging.

It just goes to show that even if you aren’t playing, you can always be on the receiving end of a topical sledge.

‘HE’S GOT THE UNHAPPIES ON’

It isn’t just Dustin Martin who can dish out a ‘don’t argue’ at Richmond.

Ruckman Toby Nankervis has proved to be pretty handy at them as well.

But it wasn’t a rival player who was on the receiving end, it was none other than Roaming Brian.

BT attempted to speak to the ruckman during his popular post-match segment but Nankervis was having none of it.

“(He) doesn’t want to do it, OK that’s all right. He’s got the unhappies on,” said Taylor.

We are eagerly awaiting the first Roaming Brian after a Tigers win in 2019.

HOW MUCH IS A COFFEE WITH BEVO WORTH?

For the average footy fan, the chance to sit down with a premiership coach and chat over a coffee is the sort of experience you can’t put a price on. Or so we thought.

The Western Bulldogs brought out the big guns for the club’s official raffle this year, with the third prize a coffee date with senior coach Luke Beveridge.

According to the official details on the club website, the prize was valued at $4,000.

We know Bevo has some stories and will forever be celebrated as the man to break the Doggies’ premiership curse. But that is one expensive cup of coffee!

It begs the question, how much could Alastair Clarkson and Gillon McLachlan raffle off one of their coffee catch-ups for?

CHEESE PLATTERS GO HEAD TO HEAD

Last year Ned Trumble, also known as the Melbourne cheese man, set the internet alight when his amazing platter of food was captured at a Demons game.

The stunning array of goodies included semi-sun-dried tomatoes, green olives, avocado and some baguettes.

The original AFL cheese platter.
The original AFL cheese platter.

But after less than a year holding the “best cheese platter in football” crown, Trumble finally has some competition.

A photo emerged during the season of an Adelaide fan who brought their own cheese platter to the Showdown.

It is always hard to pick a winner when rival cheese platters go head-to-head. However, if we absolutely had to, the title still sits with the red and blue!

The rival cheese platter at the Adelaide Oval.
The rival cheese platter at the Adelaide Oval.

YOU CAN’T SAY THAT!

When you win the medal for best on ground, you can usually say anything you want in the post-match interview. Anything except … that!

Young Magpie Tom Phillips made the cardinal sin in Round 10 when he dropped an f-bomb after being presented with the Charlie Sutton/Bob Rose medal.

Phillips took to social media after the game to suggest an appropriate punishment.

POTENTIAL STREAKERS TAKE NOTE

Players weren’t the only ones struggling with congestion during 2018.

It seems the problem also spread to the security guards at GMHBA Stadium.

Following Geelong’s Round 10 win over Carlton, at least 25 security guards took it upon themselves to patrol the centre square.

Overkill? Maybe, but the move sent potential streakers back to the drawing board.

NOT ALL STREAKERS GOT THE MEMO

It was the Grand Final that had it all. And we aren’t talking about the classic between Collingwood and West Coast.

The Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League decider between Pines and Sorrento was where the action was really at after a kick after the siren to decide the winner.

However, the action didn’t stop there, with the local crowd going wild during the last quarter when a streaker took security staff on a wild ride across the field.

The real MVP of the match was the umpire though, who broke out the “holding the ball” signal when the streaker was eventually pinged.

Streaker races across ground in MPNFL grand final

HOW’S MY MATHS GOING?!

Out on the footy field, few have been tougher than Campbell Brown.

However, when it comes to quick fire sums, the Hawthorn premiership player has a little bit of work to do.

While in commentary during a VFL game between Box Hill and Casey, Brown was trying to give a stat regarding Hawk David Mirra’s goal kicking exploits.

“Going into last week’s game, Dave Mirra, 137 VFL games, eight goals,” Brown said.

“He doubled, he agh … he kicked four and he ended up … halved.

“How’s my maths going?!”

Not well, Campbell.

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS

There wasn’t too much to celebrate for the Suns in 2018. So when they did have a win, it was important to take note.

Flashback to Round 18 and the club pulled off arguably the upset of the season when they beat Sydney at the SCG.

But the Suns picked up more than just the four points. They also got a new member.

Prior to the bounce, Twitter user Jack Arandt didn’t give the Suns any chance (and who could blame him), tweeting to the club:

The Suns wasted no time after the match reminding Arandt of his big call and he promptly agreed to snap up a membership.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

We understand mixing up Brad and Chris Scott. Who hasn’t?!

But this is taking things to a new level.

This is a new one for Chris Scott.
This is a new one for Chris Scott.

FINALLY, AN A-GRADER ON THE GOLD COAST

Who says the Suns can’t attract big name stars.

The expansion club welcomed one of the biggest celebrities in the world during the season when Hollywood A-lister Matt Damon showed up to one of their games.

Damon even donned a Gold Coast scarf to mark the occasion and he enjoyed a few drinks while watching on from the stands.

While those outside the club continue to say the Suns need a full rebuild, perhaps signing Jason Bourne as a category B rookie would be just as successful.

Matt Damon at the Gold Coast game. Picture: Getty Images
Matt Damon at the Gold Coast game. Picture: Getty Images

WAKE UP, CLARKO

Brownlow night can be long. Very long.

This year was no different, with Channel 7 doing everything in its power to drag the count out for as long as possible.

However, it all became too much for Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who had clearly had enough.

As Tom Mitchell stood on stage and began thanking those closest to him, the camera cut to Clarko, just as he was nodding off to sleep.

“I will start with the Hawthorn Football Club,” Mitchell began before things got awkward.

“Thanks so much for the opportunity you have given me … Clarko seems pretty interested.

“That is the last time that I will give you a mention.”

Hopefully Clarko caught up on the speech via replay the next day.

WHAT ARE BROTHERS FOR?

Lucky Lewis Taylor is good at footy. Because his skills as a hairdresser need a little work.

Just ask his brother, who got this cut from Taylor during the year.

Taylor was quizzed about the chop a few weeks later, which was the definition of a reverse mullet.

“When the two younger brothers come up we muck up a bit. We thought we’d give him a, I don’t know what the haircut is called.

“He loves getting up here. What are brothers for? It was a bit of a laugh.”

THAT F***ING TOE-POKE

The Saints have had enough.

They can no longer watch the footage and see their premiership dreams go up in smoke.

With Matthew Scarlett’s induction into the Hall of Fame, TV networks couldn’t resist breaking out the highlights of his 2009 Grand Final toe-poke, which ultimately sunk the Saints.

It was all too much for Sam Fisher, who took to Twitter to vent.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/recap-the-awkward-interviews-best-sledges-and-quirky-moments-from-the-2018-season/news-story/08fba7aac7f1236b5759a16a7a0ec9f2