- Star drew heavy criticism from fans over post-game act
- Occurred after side’s shock 60-point win over Sydney
Brisbane star Charlie Cameron has been savaged online for completely ignoring the young footy fan who tried to shake his hand after he presented him with a premiership medal.
While his Grand Final-winning teammates took the time to acknowledge the Auskick kids who put the awards around their necks, Cameron completely blanked the youngster and celebrated for the crowd instead.
Some boos rang out at the MCG as fans noticed the brutal snub on the big screen, and footy supporters were quick to tear into the 30-year-old forward on social media.
‘Charlie Cameron dogging the kid. Ban country road,’ wrote one, referring to the John Denver song that gets played when Cameron scores a goal at the team’s home ground.
‘Pretty embarrassing that the @brisbanelions bloke handing out the caps has to remind every player to shake hands with the kids & of course Charlie Cameron is the only one who doesn’t,’ another added.
‘The guy handing out the hats to the lions players was BOG [best on ground]. Sadly Charlie Cameron let him down. Exit interview imminent,’ wrote a third.
‘So upsetting for kid that gave the number 23 player Charlie Cameron his medal that Charlie didn’t shake his hand and the player was so up himself. Don’t they get told what to do with the medal pres.?’ another angry fan commented.
‘Forget Oscar McInerney, the real tragedy is the girl who went to shake Charlie Cameron’s hand and got snubbed. Flog,’ one fan wrote, referring to Lions ruckman McInerney, who missed the game through injury.
Cameron’s act came after Collingwood’s Beau McCreery did exactly the same thing 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 at goal in an uncharacteristically wayward display, with one of his sprayed shots raising eyebrows in the Channel Seven commentary booth because it was such an easy chance.
However, he did kick a goal from right on the boundary early in the match as the Lions started to pull away from the Swans early in the match.
One medal winner who acquitted himself in fine style was Will Ashcroft, who took home the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground.
He racked up 30 possessions and snapped an outstanding goal as the Lions mauled Sydney.
Ashcroft polled 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 the youngest Norm Smith medallist since Carlton’s Wayne Harmes was crowned the inaugural winner at age 19 in 1979.
‘I can’t believe it,’ Ashcroft told the Seven Network, having capped his comeback from an ACL injury in sublime fashion.
‘As hard as it was to miss last year, I set myself a goal.
‘I 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, unbelievable.’
