AFL great Tom Rockliff has slammed the Brownlow medal dubbing football’s night of nights as “..one of the worst nights in history.”
“It just goes on forever”
Rockliff who played 208 games for the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide told Neds that while the event may appear glamourous and prestigious on television, the lack of good catering and drink service on offer is a real letdown.
“You go there, you get these small portion sizes. They wouldn’t fill you and me up.”
When asked if the event had the option of steak or chicken, Rockliff revealed “No steak or chicken. I’m not sure what they even serve now.”
While the broadcast for the Brownlow medal starts around 7 pm for viewers on television, it’s an even longer day for those invited “(You) walk the red carpet at 4’ o clock in the afternoon, and then you go into this other waiting room before you go in, you get your call time…and then you sit there all night.”
The antics of Brownlow Medal night made headlines back in 2009 when then Carlton forward Brendon Fevola made a fool of himself as well as facing the cameras for The Footy Show later that night, in what would be the iconic “Pressure point” segment.
“Well, someone ruined it for everyone.”
While Rockliff didn’t name Fevola, it was abundantly clear who was the culprit “Yeah he played at Brisbane. Played at Carlton as well.”
The 2013 Lions NAB Cup premiership player also had bad news for anyone that was thirsty or who needed to go to the toilet during the night.
“Now you just can’t get a drink, you can’t go to the bathroom when you want to go…you might get locked out.”
As for the players having a bad night at the Brownlow, the 2014 All-Australian said it wasn’t so great for the girls either.
“The girls, they doll up, they’re just normal people like you and me and they get berated in the paper by fashion people who wouldn’t know who you are.”
When questioned if his views on Brownlow night would be different if the former Lions/Port midfielder polled more votes, he didn’t back down on the result in 2013
“Yeah, should have won it in 2013 (sic)”
“I had polled two votes up until the halfway point. Last eight games, 19 votes. Finished with 21.”
In 2013, Rockliff averaged 27.3 disposals per game, recording 30+ more than 9 times and finished 5th.
Tom Rockliff looks like he’s about to belt out ‘Step Up The Morphine’ at Falls Festival pic.twitter.com/PuS1Atx9qW
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) February 22, 2019
Rockliff did not wear this Adidas tracksuit to a Brownlow Medal, however, if he had his way…
Gary Ablett Jnr won the medal on 28 votes, Joel Selwood 27, Dane Swan 26, Patrick Dangerfield 25 with Rockliff finishing on 22 in 2013.
“I was playing forward, if I’d have been midfield all year I would have won the Brownlow…for sure.”
And when asked if he had any advice for anyone lucky enough to get an invite to footy’s night of nights, Rockliff remained adamant
Decline! Do not go, go to the pub with your mates, you’re better off. You get a nice Chicken Parma or something like that…and you’re more likely to get a drink.”
In his 208 game career, Tom Rockliff had polled a total of 87 Brownlow votes.
It remains unknown if he’ll turn up to the event ever again.