AFL fans demand apology over "heartless" joke at Brownlow awards
AFL fans are demanding an apology over a "heartless" joke at the Brownlow medal awards on Monday night.
During the three-hour ceremony, host Rebecca Madden struck up a conversation with Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott after he had missed out on winning AFL Mark of the Year to teammate Bobby Hill, and the $50,000 that comes with it.
While receiving the award on stage Hill joked that he would use the winnings to fly him and Elliott to Vegas the next morning to celebrate.
Maddern spoke with Elliott in some lighthearted banter before ending their short chat by saying, “Jamie, thank you. It was a lovely chat. Have a lovely time in Vegas. I wish you all the best. And come home alive.”
Elliot didn't react to the comment, while social media lit up with angry commentary about Maddern's "joke".
Former Magpies and Power player John McCarthy died aged 22 on an end-of-season trip to Vegas in 2012, falling from a rooftop at the Flamingo Hotel on the Strip.
It was a death that rocked the AFL to its core and is still remembered by both clubs each season.
While many people were quick to point out that Maddern was just making a fleeting comment about the debaucherous city, others demanded an apology from Channel Seven.
“Rebecca Maddern needs to apologise to John McCarthy’s family and Jamie Elliott for her insensitive comments about coming back from Vegas alive,” one wrote. “The most disgusting and heartless thing I’ve heard a ‘presenter’ say.”
“Did Rebecca Maddern just make a joke about an AFL player to “come back alive” from Vegas on a post season trip? How f**king poor taste. Expecting a full apology before the coverage is over,” added another.
Others jumped to Maddern's defence, with one person writing, “Rebecca Maddern’s come back alive from Vegas joke is just standard banter from where I sit. People are wanting to see things that clearly weren’t intended, and trying to instigate controversy.”
“She’s obviously not aware of JMac and the circumstances surrounding his death. It was still not a funny thing to say. I think she’ll be feeling awful.”
Later in the evening, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps made history by taking home his second Brownlow medal with a record-breaking 45 votes.
Image credits: Channel Seven