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Internet loses it over unsung Brisbane Lions Grand Final hero

As the Brisbane Lions’ post-game celebrations kicked off, fans quickly fell in love with one staff member and his grand final heroics.

Charlie Cameron savaged over handshake snub

An unsung hero has emerged from the AFL Grand Final for the Brisbane Lions.

The Lions proved far too strong as they decimated the Sydney Swans, on the way to a 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) victory.

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But as it is every year following the grand final, viewers watched on waiting for a player to inevitably snub one of the Auskick kids.

The Lions however came prepared with one staff member sending fans wild with his grand final heroics.

As every player was called out to come up to the dais, one Lions staffer was seen handing players the caps which they then hand over to the Auskick kid who gives them their premiership medal.

But the staff member was intent on not letting his club fall victim to the ugly tradition as he sternly delivered a message to every player, telling them what they needed to do.

Brisbane Lions staffer was the real hero. Credit: Fox Footy
Brisbane Lions staffer was the real hero. Credit: Fox Footy

His heroics didn’t go unnoticed with fans heaping praise on him for doing everything he could to keep the players from copping online flak.

SEN’s Jarrod Walsh wrote on X: “The Brisbane ‘SHAKE THE KIDS HANDS’ bloke deserves a medal.”

A second person added: “This man making sure the players put the hats on the kid’s head is the real f*** around and find out guy at Brisbane.”

A third wrote: “Absolutely loving the Brisbane Lions member of staff who, as he hands the caps to the players, is sternly reminding them to shake the kids hands.”

A fourth wrote: “The Brisbane Lions staff member telling the players to shake the aus kicker’s hands deserves a premiership medal too. I applaud him for telling his players to give the children a handshake, that's respect and I love it.”

This man was not messing around. Credit: Fox Footy.
This man was not messing around. Credit: Fox Footy.

Unfortunately despite his best efforts, Charlie Cameron missed his advice and became the latest player to inadvertently snub a youngster.

After going up on stage, he put the hat on a young girl’s head as she put the medal around his neck.

But as she put out her hand, Cameron turned, soaking in the moment — and drawing the ire of AFL fans.

One fan tweeted: “The Lions were doing so well then Charlie Cameron brushed the girl.”

A second added: “Good they have a bloke sternly telling the players to make sure they shake the kids hand, only Charlie Cameron to not do it lol.”

Another said: “The guy handing out the hats to the lions players was BOG. Sadly Charlie Cameron let him down. Exit interview imminent.”

There's always one. Photo: Channel 7
There's always one. Photo: Channel 7

It makes it three years in a row now where a player has snubbed an Auskicker with Geelong’s Tom Stewart the offender in 2022.

Stewart accidentally knocked the hat off an Auskicker’s head as he raised his arms triumphantly in the air.

Last year it was the Pies’ Beau McCreery who bolted away from a young boy holding his hand out for a handshake, running back to his teammates in celebration instead.

Fingers crossed it’s the last we see of this ugly AFL Grand Final faux pas.

Originally published as Internet loses it over unsung Brisbane Lions Grand Final hero

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/afl/internet-loses-it-over-unsung-brisbane-lions-grand-final-hero/news-story/7c6af00de417fd81dbb18041a9053377