TonyK
CibbuanoNo change to Brownlow: Demetriou
June 20th 2008 06:07
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has ruled out making changes to the eligibility criteria for the Brownlow Medal.
The league has been under pressure to alter its eligibility after stars like Lance Franklin, Daniel Kerr, Robert Murphy, Shaun Burgoyne and Brett Burton were ruled out through mostly minor indiscretions.
Carlton skipper Chris Judd said on Monday he’d like to see the Brownlow awarded to the best player in the competition, but Demetriou said the medal would continue to be a best-and-fairest award.
"We can kill that one, that'll stop a bit of talkback for the next two weeks,” Demetriou said.
“The Brownlow Medal is one of the most time-honoured sporting awards I can think of in the world and, certainly in this country, everyone who knows the Brownlow Medal knows what it stands for.
“Despite the fact some players will be ineligible this year, that's been the case since the inception of the medal, so sorry to disappoint you again, but no changes to the Brownlow Medal.
“We’ll leave it as it is and, whoever wins it this year, I'm sure we'll all be congratulating the most deserving player winning the medal again this year.”
Demetriou also dismissed suggestions the AFL would look at raising the number of demerit points to constitute a reprimand.
Franklin’s head high bump on Adelaide’s Michael Doughty was not considered serious enough to warrant a ban, instead he was offered a reprimand, which ruled him out of Brownlow medal contention because the initial charge drew more than 100 points.
"I think that (points cut off for Brownlow eligibility) was looked at by (AFL general manager, football operations) Adrian Anderson and his team 12 months ago and they were satisfied with where it was,” Demetriou said.
The league has been under pressure to alter its eligibility after stars like Lance Franklin, Daniel Kerr, Robert Murphy, Shaun Burgoyne and Brett Burton were ruled out through mostly minor indiscretions.
Carlton skipper Chris Judd said on Monday he’d like to see the Brownlow awarded to the best player in the competition, but Demetriou said the medal would continue to be a best-and-fairest award.
"We can kill that one, that'll stop a bit of talkback for the next two weeks,” Demetriou said.
“The Brownlow Medal is one of the most time-honoured sporting awards I can think of in the world and, certainly in this country, everyone who knows the Brownlow Medal knows what it stands for.
“Despite the fact some players will be ineligible this year, that's been the case since the inception of the medal, so sorry to disappoint you again, but no changes to the Brownlow Medal.
“We’ll leave it as it is and, whoever wins it this year, I'm sure we'll all be congratulating the most deserving player winning the medal again this year.”
Demetriou also dismissed suggestions the AFL would look at raising the number of demerit points to constitute a reprimand.
Franklin’s head high bump on Adelaide’s Michael Doughty was not considered serious enough to warrant a ban, instead he was offered a reprimand, which ruled him out of Brownlow medal contention because the initial charge drew more than 100 points.
"I think that (points cut off for Brownlow eligibility) was looked at by (AFL general manager, football operations) Adrian Anderson and his team 12 months ago and they were satisfied with where it was,” Demetriou said.
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