Former West Coast star Andrew Embley has revealed his thoughts after he was denied the opportunity to announce Christian Petracca as the Norm Smith Medallist after the AFL Grand Final.
The 2006 Norm Smith Medallist had been chosen to present this year’s medal, and as is custom after the Grand Final he would announce the winner of the award before presenting it to the chosen player.
However, that didn’t eventuate in the aftermath of Melbourne’s huge 74-point win, as master of ceremonies Basil Zempilas instead read out Petracca’s name himself.
Considering his Grand Final tip was correct, Embley can count himself extra unlucky.
“I said during the week a couple of times when people asked me who’s going to win, I actually said Melbourne and Christian Petracca, so I felt like I was just ready, I wasn’t going to muck this one up,” Embley told Sportsday
“I got up there and good old Basil just took over from me.”
Zempilas has also copped criticism for failing to allow Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin to speak after the historic win.
Goodwin admitted he was “shafted” by Perth’s Lord Mayor, telling Channel Nine’s The Footy Show he had the speech “all ready to go.”
It followed a tough 48-hour leadup to the Grand Final for the Channel Seven presenter.
His idea for fans at Optus Stadium to stand up during the first quarter and applaud those doing it tough on the east coast of Australia was slammed on social media and did not eventuate at the ground.