Dustin Martin was last night crowned the 2017 Brownlow Medallist, but much discussion has now centred on the standard of the Channel 7’s broadcast.
The Richmond champion polled 36 votes to finish ahead of last year’s winner, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield – who was ineligible – on 33 votes, with Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell sitting 11 votes back on 25.
However, audio issues, too many ad breaks, players presenting awards and a “creepy” Bruce McAvaney all made the coverage “cringeworthy” according to former St Kilda chief Brian Waldron.
“Whoever produced that show needs to get the arse too, because it was rubbish,” he said on SEN’s Hungry For Sport.
“It was cringeworthy to have Bruce come over Dusty’s shoulder like a creepy clown. It was just terrible.”
“Just get through the votes then let him (Martin) get up there and talk.”
The coverage got off to a rocky start with an audio problem during former The X Factor winner Dami Im’s performance, followed by Channel 7 taking an ad break after just one round of voting.
“The presentation started and set the scene right from the start – we went to Dami Im singing and we couldn’t hear her – and that sums up the night,” Waldron said.
“It was just crap.
“Dusty Martin and Patrick Dangerfield…thank the good lord for them. They were outstanding last night.”