AFL CEO’s wife sparks fan conspiracy theories about Brownlow Medal with bombshell slip of the tongue just before ceremony began

Football fans were left in disbelief on Monday night after the wife of AFL CEO Andrew Dillon made a remarkable slip of the tongue as she walked the red carpet at the Brownlow Medal ceremony.

Amanda Dillon was interviewed by former Collingwood and Carlton star Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, who asked her who she thought would win the biggest individual prize in football.

She bizarrely stated, “I would like to see [Western Bulldogs star] Marcus Bontempelli, but I’ve been told he might not be in the mix. But we’ll see.’

It wasn’t long before fans wondered if Ms Dillon had prior knowledge before the ceremony began at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

“Sorry what? This medal is a joke,” one angry fan tweeted in response to the apparent misstep.

“Uh, how does Andrew Dillon’s wife know De Bont isn’t going to win?” asked another.

A third responded: ‘Is Andrew Dillon’s wife’s comment being investigated or are we sweeping it under the carpet?

As is customary with the Brownlow Medal, the votes – cast exclusively by AFL umpires – were kept secret and only announced round by round during the lavish ceremony.

Amanda Dillon raised eyebrows after declaring: ‘I would like to see Marcus Bontempelli [win the Brownlow]but I’ve been told he might not be in the mix’ (pictured, Bontempelli at the medal table with partner Neila Brennan)

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps won his second AFL Brownlow Medal, with a record 45 votes to convincingly claim the honour

A football fan questioned how Amanda Dillon apparently knew Marcus Bontempelli wouldn’t take home the Brownlow Medal when the votes are kept secret

Another supporter declared the Brownlow Medal ‘a joke’ after Amanda Dillon’s apparent misstep

A third asked whether Dillon’s comment would be ‘investigated or swept under the carpet’

Bontempelli eventually finished in a tie for 14th place with 19 points, equal with Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis.

Meanwhile, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps won his second AFL Brownlow Medal, with a record 45 votes, claiming the honour convincingly.

The 29-year-old also won the game’s most prestigious individual award in 2022.

Cripps, remarkably, had an unassailable lead with four laps to go.

Collingwood’s Nick Daicos was second with 38 points, while Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters was third with 29 points.

Melbourne Demons’ 2021 Premiership star Angus Brayshaw, who was forced to sit out pre-season training due to repeated concussions, offered an emotional toast on behalf of his fellow players who have also hung up their boots.

Among them were Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and Geelong striker Tom Hawkins.

Collingwood’s Bobby Hill won the Goal of the Year award and in his debut season, West Coast midfielder Harley Reid won the Goal of the Year award.

The Jim Stynes ​​Community Leadership Award was won by Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien.