Two of the AFL’s biggest stars get absolutely slammed by fans over ‘disgraceful’ speeches at club’s awards night – as some claim Tigers fans ‘should be p*****’
- A premiership duo has been vilified by fans
- Some claimed Tigers fans should be ‘p*****’
- Others claimed their speeches were “disgraceful.”
Two premiership stars have been criticized by fans on social media for making ‘disrespectful and disgraceful’ farewell speeches at Richmond’s best and fairest awards, with some claiming Tigers fans should be ‘p*****’.
The Jack Dyer Medal event may not have gone as smoothly as many had hoped, with Tigers president John O’Rourke appearing to take a thinly veiled swipe at several departing stars for the first time.
Speaking to the crowd at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, O’Rourke praised the loyalty of several senior stars who stuck around to ‘guide young players through the next stage of their careers’. [the club’s] grow.’
He then thanked Nathan Broad in particular, who received his second Francis Bourke Medal in two years, for staying loyal and signing a new contract.
“Just as an example… how lucky are we to have players with Nathan Broad’s character?” said O’Rourke.
‘He’s a player drafted into an era of, well, instant club success as a player in adulthood. “I’m sure he could have certainly explored options this year to finish his career in his home state, or perhaps look for more lucrative options at other clubs, but he chose to extend for a further two years.”
His comments appear to have been a small boost toward four willing Tigers stars who could leave before the 2025 season.
Signed duo Daniel Rioli – who was awarded the Jack Dyer Medal last night – and Shai Bolton have both requested a move away from the club, while Liam Baker and Jack Graham are also set to leave the club.
Rioli is reportedly hoping to reunite with Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast, while Bolton is eyeing a return to Washington.
Baker has also made it clear he wants to join the West Coast, and the Tigers will be hopeful of securing deals for the three stars when the trade period opens next week. Graham, meanwhile, could also leave as a free agent.
During the awards ceremony, Bolton, who was crowned the Tigers’ leading goalkeeper for the 2024 season with 34 goals, gave an awkward farewell speech to the crowd.
“Yes, I just want to thank my teammates, thank the coaches, thanks to my partner at home. “She couldn’t be here right now because another one is on the way,” he said.
“And yes… that’s it from me.”
Baker then took the stage. He grabbed the microphone and gestured to his teammate Bolton: “I will speak for myself and Shai.
‘No, actually it’s been a great year and I appreciate everything the club has done for myself and my family over the last few years and this year.
‘I look forward to what the club will do in the future. I can’t wait to support it. Yes, it will be great to look inside from a distance. Thanks for everything and take it easy.’
But the duo were trolled by fans online after the speeches, with one X (formerly Twitter) user writing: ‘These guys can’t wait to get out of there. Disgusting speeches, truly disgusting.’
“Horrible and classless… I’m not a Richmond fan but if that’s all they have to offer the club and its supporters you should be happy to see them go,” one person added.
“A few flags between these two and that’s all they’ll say,” another added with a “smiling face” emoji.
“Probably two of the most disrespectful and disgraceful speeches you will ever see,” another added.
On rumors that Baker and Bolton could both head to WA, another added: “The way Liam went to Shai looks like a couple of guys just signed for West Coast.”
‘If I was a Richmond fan I would be very wrong. These boys liked to sign up for the good times and, like the coach, jumped over when things went bad. P*** poor,” wrote another.