Why footy fans are applauding a Brisbane grand final hero who never played a game for the Lions
Footy fans applauded a Brisbane Lions staffer for his heroics after the full-time siren sounded at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Brisbane Lions bounced back in stunning fashion from heartbreak in last year’s grand final, topping Sydney by 60 points to claim their first AFL premiership in more than two decades.
One Lions staffer emerged as a hero during the celebrations, reminding players to shake hands with the Auskick boy as they receive their premiership medal.
“The ‘SHAKE THE KIDS HANDS’ guy from Brisbane deserves a medal,” fan posted on X.
“Absolutely love the Brisbane Lions staff member who, as he hands the caps to the players, sternly reminds them to shake hands with the kids,” wrote another.
“This man who makes the players put the hats on the kid’s head is a real jerk in Brisbane,” a third wrote.
“100%, every team needs this guy to gently remind them not to forget about those kids,” another replied.
Unfortunately, Lions star Charlie Cameron got caught up in the moment and completely ignored the young footy fan who tried to shake his hand after presenting him with a premiership medal.
Footy fans have praised a Lions staffer who reminded every player to shake hands with the Auskick kids who had the prizes hanging around their necks
There were some boos at the MCG as fans noticed the brutal criticism on the big screen, and football supporters were quick to attack the 30-year-old striker on social media.
‘Charlie Cameron is chasing the child. Ban country road,” one wrote, referring to the John Denver song that plays when Cameron scores a goal on the team’s home turf.
“Quite embarrassing that the @brisbanelions guy handing out the caps has to remind every player to shake hands with the kids and of course Charlie Cameron is the only one who doesn’t,” another added.
“The man who handed out the hats to the Lion players was BOG [best on ground]. Unfortunately, Charlie Cameron let him down. An exit interview is coming,” a third wrote.
‘So upsetting for the boy who gave Charlie Cameron his medal in number 23, that Charlie didn’t shake his hand and the player himself was so confused. Aren’t they told what to do with the medalist?’ another angry fan commented.
‘Forget Oscar McInerney, the real tragedy is the girl who went to shake hands with Charlie Cameron and was rejected. Flog,” one fan wrote, referring to Lions ruckman McInerney, who missed the match due to injury.
Charlie Cameron lost fans when he snubbed the youngster hanging his grand final medal around his neck
Brisbane Lions roared to victory in the grand final at the MCG on Saturday
Cameron’s act came after Collingwood’s Beau McCreery did exactly the same after last year’s grand final.
The 155-game veteran didn’t have a great game as his side broke through for their first flag since 2003.
He missed a couple of easy shots on target in an unusually wayward performance, with one of his sprayed shots raising eyebrows in the Channel Seven commentary booth because it was such an easy chance.
However, he kicked a goal from the boundary early in the match as the Lions began to pull away from the Swans early in the match.
One medalist who acquitted himself beautifully was Will Ashcroft, who took home the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground.
He collected 30 possessions and scored an excellent goal as the Lions tore Sydney apart.
Ashcroft received 14 votes to win, ahead of Lions co-captain Lachie Neale (eight), while teammate Callum Ah Chee had seven and Kai Lohmann one.
The 20-year-old is Norm Smith’s youngest medalist since Carlton’s Wayne Harmes was crowned its first winner in 1979 at the age of 19.
“I can’t believe it,” Ashcroft told the Seven Network after capping his comeback from a cruciate ligament injury in sublime style.
“As hard as it was to miss last year, I set a goal for myself.
‘I have set myself a goal in the second half of the year and to come back and play my first finals (series).
“To be here and then win it, my god, incredible.”