Brisbane Lions’ Charlie Cameron slammed after snubbing Auskicker’s handshake

Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron has become the latest player to commit AFL Grand Final day’s biggest faux pas.

Another year, another player snubbing the Auskicker handshake in the AFL Grand Final Day medal presentation.

Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron has become the latest player to be torn to shreds online after appearing to snub a young Auskicker after his side’s 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) thrashing of the Sydney Swans.

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While the game was all but over at halftime, the emotion was real for the Lions after going one better in 2024 after finishing runners up to Collingwood in 2023 in a heartbreaking four-point loss.

Despite the one-sided nature of the victory, the Lions were going nuts in their celebrations.

With emotions running high, the club appeared to use a staffer to remind its players to shake the Auskickers’ hands as they handed over a cap and received their medals.

It was all going swimmingly — until Cameron committed what has become a traditional faux pas.

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.

No Charlie, no. Photo: Channel 7

The excitement got to Charlie. Photo: Channel 7

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

A second posted: “Charlie!!! How hard is it to shake the kids hand???”

A third commented: “Players always show their true colours when receiving their medals from the Auskick kids. Charlie Cameron, any danger in a handshake, brutha?”

A fourth 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.”

A fifth said: “Pretty embarrassing that the @brisbanelions bloke handing out the caps has to remind EVERY player to shake hands with the kids‍️ & of course Charlie Cameron is the only one who doesn’t.”

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

A seventh posted: “What the f**k Charlie Cameron?! Didn’t even shake the poor child’s hand.”

An eighth also commented: “Forget Oscar McInerney, the real tragedy is the girl who went to shake Charlie Cameron’s hand and got snubbed.”

However, in Cameron’s defence, while plenty of fans praised the staffer, he didn’t appear to say much as the small forward got his cap to give the Auskicker.

Not all heroes wear capes – some hand out caps. Photo: Channel 7

But the awkward situation has become somewhat of a tradition as there is always one player who gets ripped over a snub.

In 2022, it was Geelong’s Tom Stewart, accidentally knocking the hat off the Auskicker’s head as he raised his arms triumphantly in the air.

He apologised the following day and gave her a gift for committing the cardinal sin.

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.

While Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox were also called out for leaving their Auskicker’s hanging, it was McCreery that got most of the criticism.

However, six days later, McCreery made amends, meeting up with the youngster at Collingwood HQ.

Speaking after the presentation, Cameron was still taking in the achievement.

“I think the focus all year was about just keeping it simple, simple brilliance and don’t force it, and move on as well,” Cameron said.

“That was the motto we’ve been living by, moving on, gold fish.

“Chris Fagan, I think at one point we were 0-3 and at one point he said ‘if you’re skating on thin ice, why not dance’.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions’ Charlie Cameron slammed after snubbing Auskicker’s handshake