‘That’s not on’: Hits keep coming for Basil Zempilas after Grand Final blunder

Basil Zempilas has faced more criticism today after a Grand Final blunder ruined what should have been Simon Goodwin’s special moment.

Basil Zempilas came under heavy fire. Photo: Getty Images.

The hits keeps coming for Basil Zempilas.

Two days later and the Channel 7 commentator and Perth Lord Mayor keeps copping criticism for failing to let Melbourne premiership-winning coach Simon Goodwin speak in the post-match presentation after his side won the club’s first Grand Final in 57 years.

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After introducing Goodwin to the dais to collect his premiership medal, Zempilas kept talking as the coach was forced to deviate away from his path to the microphone.

“I got shafted, didn’t I?” Goodwin told the Sunday Footy Show. “I didn’t know what happened there, I had it (a speech) all ready to go, I had the cheat notes and a few sponsors to single out.”

Zempilas came under more fire on Monday morning from journalist Michelangelo Rucci and sports presenter Kym Dillon during a lighthearted segment on the pair’s SEN Adelaide radio show.

“To have robbed Simon Goodwin of the moment at the end of the game where in front of a national audience and a big stadium, first time you’re about to collect the premiership trophy as a coach, you want to be able to say how it all feels, what it all means,” Rucci said.

“‘Just stand at the back there, Simon’. That’s not on.

“That’s a bit that we’ve all missed out on so Basil — never again!”

Goodwin wasn't gifted the microphone. Photo: Fox Sports.

Dillon added: “He missed his cue, Basil. I’m not saying it’s all about Basil but maybe he was overworked on the day with all his civic duties as well as his Channel 7 responsibilities.

“There’s pressure in being in front of millions of people … but it was a fairly important thing that he missed.

“A bit disappointing and Goody was denied a moment, there’s no doubt about that.”

Former footy star Brendan Fevola was one of many on social media to call out the error in not allowing Goodwin to speak.

“Why didn’t Goodwin give a speech? Basil cooked that,” Fevola tweeted.

The awkward incident comes after Zempilas divided footy fans around Australia with his pre-match suggestion the 60,000 strong crowd at Optus Stadium should stand and applaud late in the third quarter in recognition of those in other states doing it tough in lockdown.

The gesture went down like a lead balloon when it was floated on Friday, as punters called it out for being cringe-worthy.